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2ND DEC 2008
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 Creating personalised art for the home is a growing trend amongst interiors enthusiasts. The developments in digital photography and inkjet printing now make it easier than ever before to transform photos into art that can go straight onto the wall.
This step-by-step guide by photographer to the stars, Iain Lewis, takes you through the process of printing perfect pictures.
Iain Lewis
Iain Lewis was the photographic assistant and right-hand man to the legendary Lord Lichfield for 6 years, and has made a name for himself as one of the best photographers in the industry.
He has been involved in shoots capturing some of the most famous people in the world including The Royal Family, Tony Blair, Nicole Kidman and Thierry Henry to name just a few.
He now specialises in a diverse mix of portrait, lifestyle and fashion photography and his works regularly feature in some of the most renowned publications including Vogue, Tatler and The Times. Here are some of Iain’s top tips for achieving the perfect piece of homemade art.
Step 1: Take a perfect picture
Experiment with the manual mode on your camera to increase your creativity and show off your skill.
It’s important to think about exposure (the amount of light to fall on the camera’s sensor). Exposure is controlled by three things. By controlling these three things you can start to get creative with your photography:
ISO setting – the higher the number the more sensitive the sensor and the brighter the image. So on a dull day use a higher ISO setting to ensure a sharp picture.
Aperture – the size of the hole in the lens. The larger the hole (a smaller f.stop number) the less area that is in focus, so if you’re taking a portrait and want the face in focus but the background soft, then use a larger aperture. If you’re taking a group shot, then use a smaller aperture (a larger f.stop number).
Shutter speed – this controls the amount of time light is allowed to enter the camera. So a shorter shutter speed would let you capture the individual drops of a waterfall, whilst a longer shutter speed would give you more effect of movement.
Don’t let your hands wander – make sure the focus is centred on the subject and not the background.
Half press the shutter release button so you can see where the camera has focussed before depressing fully to take the picture
Avoid flare from the sun on your lens at all costs!
Get level with your subject e.g. when photographing a child, squat down to their level.
Play around with different viewpoints. Look down from up high, sideways, or even around corners!
Keep it simple – use less distracting backgrounds so your subject stands out more.
The rule of thirds – imagine lines are drawn to divide your subject into thirds and place important elements of your composition where these lines intersect. Your camera may well have an option to display these lines to help you.
Flattery will get you everywhere – use daylight for a natural look.
Try capturing the following for a stunning effect – close up, really close up (macro mode), vivid colours such as bright red poppies, black and white, patterns (such as ripples in water etc), bright light, and dark.
To capture movement follow your subject round with the top half of your body, keeping your feet still and click the shutter when they are in the centre of the screen
Use the auto mode if you want the easy option where the camera does the hard work for you, but it can limit creativity
If you get hooked, sign up for a photography course to learn more.
Step 2: Don’t leave those photos on your hard drive - make the most of them!
Technology like Epson’s Stylus Photo 1400 printer now means that budding photographers and amateurs alike can effortlessly transform digital photos into professional-looking pieces of art in up to A3 size.
Printing with the Epson SP1400
Experiment with different paper – glossy and matte paper can give two very different looks depending on your desired image.
Put your own personal twist on your favourite photos.
Use PictBridge to print directly from your digital camera – just link it up via USB and let the printer do all the work.
Get creative – turn your photos into gifts for friends and family.
Keep an open mind – some images may look better printed than on the camera screen, just like some clothes look far better on you than they did on the hanger.
Using Epson PhotoEnhance
Epson’s PhotoEnhance is a revolutionary piece of software built into the SP1400; it’s like having your own printing expert in the printer.
PhotoEnhance will automatically detect the image subject such as portraits, landscapes or skylines and adjust the image accordingly.
PhotoEnhance will detect and enhance skin tones, colour casts and exposure for the ultimate image.
PhotoEnhance means you don’t have to be an expert in image manipulation.
Using Epson Creativity Suite
Get rid of red-eye with the click of a mouse.
Crop photos easily to get rid of too much sky or foreground.
Add fun frames.
Experiment with black & white or sepia finishes.
Step 3: Start showing them off!
Now that you have your own pieces of art to be proud of, the only thing left to do is clip them into frames and start showing them off!
Try the following techniques for different effect:
- A simple black or white thin-rimmed framed to allow your photo to stand out.
- Mount your images on foam board to display without frames. This works especially well where an image has been split into two or three to be displayed side-by-side.
- For children’s bedrooms you can always pin your pictures to the walls to look like posters.
- Different themes for different rooms – try focusing on a certain theme for each room in the home e.g. the sea and sky for your bathroom to add a quirky and stylish feel.
- Change, change, change! – now you can change your art with the seasons or even with your mood!
Image rights and terms of reproduction:
Images are provided courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
Terms of reproduction:
Use on websites MUST include a clickable link (hyperlink) to www.freedigitalphotos.net
Reproduction in print media: FreeDigitalPhotos.net MUST be credited as the image source
Please see for full terms of use: www.freedigitalphotos.net/terms.php
Images are provided courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net
Provided by The Student Zone (United Kingdom) |
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