3 Straightforward Tips For Adding Photos to Your Website

When it comes to websites, the phrase “less is more” often becomes the rule of thumb many establishments follow. Fancy scrolling banners, introduction animations, and other flashy extras now are considered unnecessary, since visitors usually don't have the patience for them.

Without these extras, though, how can your website stand out amid competition? Keeping it simple actually doesn't mean you can't add a photograph or two, especially if you're selling something. Item descriptions, after all, aren't the same as having good quality product photography Toronto.

Before you go overboard adding the essential photos to your website, though, here are a few tips to remember.

1. Pick a palette. While choosing a vintage look to the photos is tempting, will the yellow-brown, slightly faded colours fit in with the rest of your website? Or will it stick out like a sore thumb and give visitors a headache?

Full-colour photos are usually the best way to go, with a plain background. That doesn't mean you have to use white (although it's a recommended choice). Less saturated, lighter (i.e. almost white) shades of your company logo's colours are possible alternatives.

2. Hire a professional. If you want high quality photos, you'll need to invest in a photographer. Some companies do the do-it-yourself (DIY) route. But that doesn't mean you should, too, unless you know how to set the scene and have the needed equipment.

While you're at it, make sure you give the photographer all the details they need, particularly for the photo shoot, and be sure to put everything in writing. That way, you're on the same page and there would be less chances of miscommunication.

3. Plan ahead. Having one big photo shoot for multiple products is a good idea, compared to having several separate, smaller ones for each product, since you'll save in the long run. Also, make sure to have extra photos you can use in the future, enough to make your catalogue always look fresh and updated.

Planning ahead includes bringing any props you'll need for the shoot. At the same time, keep props to an absolute minimum, to keep the focus on your products.

You don't actually have to be an advertising photographer Toronto to use these tips well. Simply put yourself in your target audience's shoes and determine what they'd want to see. That way, potential clients are enticed, not put off.


                                 

3 Essential TRAITS Every Photographer Should Have

Beyond all doubts, we all know that photography is one of today's most admired art. People, whatever the social status could be are easily fascinated by its enchanting realm. Its various purposes along with its tricks and artistic concepts have definitely affected our daily lives.

As a Toronto commercial photographer, I also consider myself as part of the herd of photography fanatics. My undying passion for this art has led me to countless privileges like visiting various places for photography endeavor purposes.

In my recent visit to Europe, I met a photo artist whom I believe is one of the greatest photographers ever existed on the planet! Before I went home, he gave me these 3 tips to become a great photo artist.

1. Infinite Imagination

Perhaps, this one isn't new to you. That's great! However, what you probably don't know is the truth, “Everyone has imagination. Those who excel are the ones who know to use it.”

In your journey to be a great photographer, never be afraid to trust and follow your imagination. Don't let parameters suppress you. If you think your wildest thought is screaming within, unleash it! That's a masterpiece!

2. Creativity! Be Creative!

Think differently. Don't be afraid to experiment and apply new techniques. Ignore the trend and try to change your perspective. However, prepare for the numerous individuals who might criticize your output. Of course, you need them. They're the ones who could identify if you've done something remarkable or not.

Being creative is sometimes a risk. For instance, you're a photographer of a certain advertising firm. Then one occasion, you tried to incorporate new things to your craft. Unfortunately, your superiors didn't like the outcome. Then, you know what happens next.

Remember, art appreciation is subjective. You can't ask a person to like your work. So, if ever someone hates your creations, let it be. It's not the end of the world, right? Just be creative!

3. Undying Perseverance

This will hold everything! Even though you're extremely creative and you have that endless imagination, without the ability to persevere in your endeavor, everything will be useless.

Perseverance is holding on to your goals whatever happens. It's about being patient and dedicated amidst life adversities. If you don't have this attribute, your road to become a successful photographer would be a very dark path.

Ready to become a phenomenal photographer?

As I left the land of Europe, I realized that I have these three attributes. I knew it. Now, I'm ready to be the best advertising photographer Toronto.

Share this article to other aspiring photographers!

Toronto Product Photography | Learning Photography Basics

Technically, a photographer is a person who takes “shots of images”. The word comes from the combination of the Greek words 'phos' which means 'light' and graphê which means 'drawing or writing.' Together, it means drawing with light.

Amateur Vs. Professional Photography

You may have heard the words 'amateur and 'professional' photography Toronto. So, what's the difference? Basically, amateurs in this particular field are engaged mostly in shooting a wide range of images for the following reasons:

For personal pleasure like in a hobby; and
To record an event, emotion, place, and so on, without monetary motivation.

A professional photographer may also engage in said activities above, but, their practice of profession involves making money. Mainly, they generate profit by displaying, selling or making use of pictures.

Secondly, there are times when an amateur photographer gets considerable sums like when he emerges the winner in some art or photography competition, and gets the prize money. On the other hand, an individual can be considered professional by his academic study in pursuit of his photographic skills.


However, there are no hard and fast rules in photography, whether you're doing it professionally or amateurishly, or making money out of it or not. Because, anyone can really enjoy it as a hobby and at the same time, generate profits if he wishes. So, if you're interested to turn your creative talent into a money-making venture, professional photography is an excellent career choice.

Professional Photography As A Career

It doesn't require a college degree, even age. As long as you have a good eye, the right camera and other basic tools, and with basic knowledge, you can find fulfillment in this endeavor. As this field is  highly competitive, the best thing to do is to start small. Sharpen your skills and eventually build a portfolio of your best shots.

Another is to educate yourself to become a Toronto commercial photographer by reading books, magazines, and online resources about the latest tricks and tips. Here, you'll be learning about the new ways of using the cam and lenses that enables you to come up with fantastic results. 

The Difference Between Advertising Photography And Commercial Photography

A commercial photographer can be an advertising photographer and an advertising photographer can be a commercial photographer, but they are not synonymous. And as nonsensical as this sounds, it's true. They can be both, they can be either or, but they cannot be interchanged.

Generally speaking, commercial photography is a specialized branch of advertising photography, while advertising covers a broader range of product promotion. Most photographers take the difference very seriously. If you were to ask a Toronto commercial photographer for advertising photography, he might end up referring you to someone else.

Or he'd be insulted.

To avoid blunders like this, allow me to break down the difference.



COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY – IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PRODUCT

This subheading summarized commercial photography perfectly. Commercial photographers take pictures of buildings, models, merchandise, artifacts, and the like, usually with promotional intentions.

However, with commercial photography, it is all about the product. The entire photo shoot is devoted to the merchandise being captured. The lighting, styling, background, and editing are all arranged in a way to really make the product stand out.

ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY – IT'S ALL ABOUT PROMOTION


Commercial photography falls under advertising photography, mainly because it uses a narrower array of techniques than those in advertising. In advertising photography, the product is still emphasized (since that's what has to be sold). However, the advertising photographer also has to sell concepts, ideas, and lifestyles.

To put it in simpler terms, the advertising photographer has creative freedom to interpret and decide how certain merchandise, people, and services can be sold. While commercial photographers find new ways to make a product stand out, advertising photographers find ways to integrate that product in an average person's lifestyle. He has to find ways to make the product sell.

As of 2011, an estimated 80% of all advertising campaigns use pictures. The advertising industry itself may be dying out (according to some), but it looks like the need for quality pictures and photographs are higher than ever. This digital age relies heavily on imagery. So the next time you're looking for an advertising photographer Toronto has several excellent ones. Don't just go to your neighborhood commercial photographer and assume he/she can do it.

A Great Photographer? 5 Remarkable Traits You Should Possess | Toronto Product Photography

The incomparable realm of photography has truly evolved. Obviously, more and more individuals are now stepping into the zone of the said art. Of course, I'm one of them! And like you, I also want to be GREAT!

Luckily for me, one of my colleagues is now a professional Toronto commercial photographer. What's the good news? Of course, I've learned a lot from him! In fact, because of him – I discovered the 5 traits.

1. Patience and Determination

“TIME” could be your most competitive opponent in your “photography journey to greatness.” It could deceive your path. It could slow you down. And it could possibly lead you to nowhere or emptiness.

Have you ever thought why some people never succeeded in obtaining their goals in life? Although, there could be countless factors, it's still undeniable that one of those reasons is “Time.” To be more specific, it's lack of time!

So, how can you solve it? Simple -- uphold your PATIENCE and never ever lose your DETERMINATION. Keep pushing! Keep going!

2. Insurmountable Curiosity

Remember, great photographers become great because of their peculiar ability to notice objects others are oblivious to. Indeed, they question, investigate, and embrace almost everything on the planet! That sets them apart from ordinary artists.

3. Don't Forget Imagination and Creativity

Your imagination can push you into thinking which you haven't thought of before. For instance, you imagine an image in your head, then you try your best to concretize it. So, how can you make it happen?

This is when your creativity comes in! This is when you find your own way or back-channel in bursting out that picture!

With your imagination and creativity, original and unique brands of pictures come in. Thus, developing your own flavor and style of shooting photos.

Imagining something right now? Grab your camera!

4. Technical Artistry

You need modernized tools and apparatuses to be able to compete the contemporary arena of photography. Even how great you are in handling your toys (camera), losing to uphold the quality, means losing the grip to become great!

5. Undeniable Passion

Do you have any idea why you still keep striving to become a remarkable photographer? Do you know what fuels your core to pursue your dreams? It's not money!

It's PASSION – it sparks your inner landscape to never give up. You need this to keep you moving!

Finale

If you have your own tips on how to become a great photographer, that's great! Everything will now become perfect to you. Good luck fella! 

 

Anyway, thanks to my buddy involved in Toronto product photography.

Product Photography Toronto | Have Hobby, Will Earn Money

Having a hobby is a great way to spend time. It's also a great way to earn money. Successful businesses often hinge on the passion of the person. Gardening enthusiasts make a living as landscape architects and floral designers. Animal lovers put up pet daycares or become animal groomers for some additional cash. No matter how you look at it, extra-curriculars can easily be translated into lucrative money-makers.

“Starving artists” don't necessarily have to starve. Whether you're a painter or a Toronto commercial photographer, there always has been a big demand for people who can design company logos, make web graphics, take photographs, and so on. Thanks to the boom in successful superhero movies, the comics industry is constantly on the look-out for talented pencilers and inkers. Writers looking to earn some good cash can opt to submit music and movie reviews to websites.

For the “shop 'til you drop” kind of women, how great would it be to spend someone else's money instead of your own and earn a little extra on the side? Many wealthy women and busy men are into the habit of hiring personal shoppers. From picking out the perfect dress for some fancy dinner party to grabbing groceries because the client's stuck in all-day meetings, personal shoppers are paid very well for their taste, their time, and their worn-out feet.

For the hopeless perfectionist, why not spread your gift of color-coordination and impeccable organization with people who just can't seem to get their lives in order? For a price, of course. Personal secretaries are often paid by the hour just to keep track of their client's appointments and meetings for the month. Event organizers are in high demand, especially for those special functions that just cannot be messed up (think debuts, reunions, sweet sixteens, etc.,). If you've got the mind for names, dates, numbers, prices, and places, then you should seriously consider getting paid for it.

Whatever you enjoy doing in your spare time, turning it into a business may be your ticket to financial freedom and success. Open a bakeshop and sell those lovely creations from your oven. Start an online store for all those extra clothes and books that you keep buying. Start a Toronto product photography service and get paid for snapping shots. Make your passion your profession, and you'll never have to work a day in your life.

Contrasts In Commercial Photographs

What's the best way to make something stand out? Contrast! A black object on a white background is simple, clean, and effective. Similarly, a light object on a dark background calls attention to itself. Contrast in photography refers to both tonal and color contrasts. It's the range of shades, from bright highlight to dark shadow. The more extreme the range, the higher the contrast.

A professional Toronto commercial photographer knows how to use make use of contrast creatively and effectively. Here are a couple of examples of contrasts in commercial photographs.

Notice how the white background and the metal gray borders really bring out the dark blue color of the conveyer belt. The lines and edges are very crisp against the white background. The shadows on this piece aren't very extreme. This is a good example of moderate contrast.

Morever, the lack of shadows actually balances out the photograph. We are initially drawn to the dark blue color, but then our eyes move on to the rest of picture. None of the other details are overshadowed, making the machine itself – and not a particular component – the subject of the photograph.

This is another example of contrasting shades. Dark, rich wood against a completely plain background. The lack of anything distracting behind the piece of furniture brings out all the little details; black painted circle in the middle, black-and-red flower borders, and the metallic-gold carvings on the edges and corners.

The shadows and angle give the subject dimension, but it's not over-emphasized. Notice how there are no shadows under or around the object itself. Editing the shadows out gives the piece a very clean, centralized feel. When you want a stand-alone object to really capture the viewer's attention, this is the way to do it.

What do you do when there are multiple subjects in the photograph and all are varying shades and colors? Centralize! Object placement is crucial here; find a way to group all the objects together without them looking cramped or forced. Pick a defining characteristic that all the subjects share, and use that to create the contrast you need.

In this case, the defining characteristic would have to be the plate. Since all the objects in the photograph are being supported by the plate, you'll want the plate to stand out a little more. White against black equals beautiful contrast. Your eyes automatically ignore the black background in favor of the food that stands out beautifully against the white plate.

This photo of a cosmetic product makes use of contrast between elements. By itself, on a plain white background, the jar of mineralized powder would have looked very clean, yes, but a bit too simplistic to really catch attention. The colors alone are very basic; black cover, light pink glass, white background.

The literal splash of color adds excitement to what could have been an otherwise very proper, very silent set-up. Colors and shades aren't the only things you can contrast in a picture. Elements like a rush of activity in the background against a subject standing still, or a very small object propped up against a huge building are examples of good contrast.

This is another example of contrasting elements. Just like the photo above, this contrasts chaos versus quiet. A blur of activity versus focus.

Imagine if the background and subject were the same. If the van was blurred as well, you wouldn't have anything to focus on. You'd be left looking at a pretty bad picture. If the background and the van were both still, there wouldn't be a sense of movement. You'd think the van was parked.

Many toronto product photography services have professional photographers who understand this concept very well. When you use proper contrast with proper angling, lighting, and exposure, the results are nothing short of breath-taking.

Toronto Commercial Photographer | It's All About The Angles

Let's face it -- straight-on, full-frontal shots are boring. They're good for self-portraits and passport photos. But if you're trying to catch someone's attention, shots like this fall flat. Imagine a picture of a plate of food taken at eye-level. No rotation, no slight angling, no special way for the light to catch the edge of the plate just so … nothing.

One of the best ways to capture an eye-catching photograph is to experiment with the angles. Any professional Toronto commercial photographer knows that interesting angles are the foundation of interesting pictures. Anything crazier than interesting, though, and you risk the photo looking ridiculous. Balance is key.

ASSORTED

The color of the background and the video camera are both gray. The only thing different is the shade and color gradation, and yet the camera stands out beautifully.

This is because the slight tilt and rotation of the camera allows the viewer to see the details of the front and the side at the same time. The angle here not only looks artisitc; it gives the object dimension.

COSMETICS

This is an example of how angling the shot can really bring out the contrasting colors. While you're finding the right angle, remember that object placement is also very important, especially when there's more than one in the photograph.

By placing the black box at the back, the light-colored foundation bottles at the front stand out even more. If the box had been in front, their black-colored caps would be emphasized. Then the cream colors would have been covered, and the whole picture would just be one big splash of black on white.

The angle here is a slight bird's-eye-view; we're made to look at the set-up as though we're at a higher level, looking down. Again, this emphasizes more details, like how many foundation bottles there are. If the angle had been a simple straight-on shot, the contrast between white, black, and brown wouldn't have been as dramatic.

FOOD

The main problem when taking a single subject on a plain background is space. You don't want there to be too much space around the subject, so you come in closer. But you don't want there to be a lack of space either, or else the picture risks looking abruptly cut off.

Again, balance is key. The angle here cuts off a little of the plate, but it focuses on the truly eye-catching (and, quite frankly, mouth-watering) details of the food, such as the yellow of the eggs and the oily goodness of the bacon.

FURNITURE

You can use angles to accentuate and emphasize certain features of the subject. Composing makes use of the lines and light sources on the photograph to draw attention to certain characteristics of an object.

In this example, the eye is immediately drawn to the gold sculpting on the corner edge of the furniture. The angle makes the piece feel solid. Thanks to the position of the shadows, we can tell that the corner with the gold sculpture is at the very front.

The break in the lines of the wood also further accent the corner. When uniformity is disrupted, our attention is immediately drawn to whatever looks different.

INDUSTRIAL

You can dramatically alter your photo composition just by changing the angle of the camera. It doesn't even have to be drastic adjustments. Simply rotating the subject brings out fantastic results.

All experts in product photography Toronto understand the importance of giving the subject dimension. Just like the video camera in the first picture, the picture gives you a sense of the bulk, the weight, and the width of the machine. And all it took was a little angling.

3 Tips For The Best Corporate Portrait Results

Do you have what it takes to become a professional photographer? If you are into it, can you say that you're now skilled to shoot corporate portraits?

Experts say that photographing corporate personnel for business websites and magazine articles is a far cry from that of taking pictures of a company event. The former is like taking a portrait shot in a professional studio.

Nevertheless, you may be surprised to know that everything is different in this type of digital imagery -- from the atmosphere to lighting, to the gear you use. A portable lighting equipment that you can assemble and disassemble in minutes is the preferred type.

There are also different kinds of corporate portrait photography. This article focuses on the type done indoors. Here are tips for getting the best possible results spending less on gear and lighting equipment:

1. Client relationship

Establish a good relationship with your client by meeting them face to face. Imagine yourself interviewed and you'll only be hired as a Toronto commercial photographer if the firm is convinced of your skills, credentials, and perhaps your personality. Prepare your professional portfolio showing your excellent works. Once hired, aim to build a lasting relationship and they'll keep coming back for your services.

2. Client needs

Often times, companies know exactly what they need whenever they need the services of a photographer.  For some,  there are those who don't have any idea at all. They only think of  having a photo shoot of their employees, period. Take the initiative of knowing what they really need during your first meeting. Show them your work samples. You might be able to squeeze out some ideas without them conscious of it. From that, you can start to write down your specific objectives for that particular job.

3. Use a quote

Give them one that's based on their needs. Once done, determine the number of hours, the cost of labour and equipment you'll be needing for the shoot. Give them the details and do not hold back any info relevant for your shoot. In other words, give them an accurate quote.

Of course, you have to tell them that before anything is perfected, you prefer to have everything documented in a written contract. This is not only for your protection but of their's as well. Hence, professional photography Toronto is just like any other career, where workers need to be protected.