Newbie questions: How to create "atmospheric" pictures, background effects, and more.

NudeModel · Apr 12, 2016

I am a 22 year old female who has never even touched a professional quality camera (unless you count phones and tablets), so please explain these things to me as if I am 5.

First question:

I want to model in my own photography, without taking simple phone "selfies", I want the pictures to look like they were professionally taken by someone else. I'm wondering if there exists a professional quality camera that has a timer on it that will take the picture when the time runs out? I know tablets and phones have this capability, but do "real" cameras? What is the best quality camera with this ability? And is there any product that gives you a way to actually see the shot while you're modeling, such as feeding what's on the screen to a monitor, so you can know what looks good and what doesn't before the time is up? Sorry if this seems silly, I just think it would be highly awesome for me if that existed and want to know if it does.

Second question:

Does anyone know of any good tutorials for how to get photography that is sort of "atmospheric"? Like the picture below; there's a certain vibe to it that I want to learn to capture, but don't quite know how. I like the clarity, contrast, cool tone, depth perception, and everything else I'm probably missing that makes this picture the way it is.

Third and last question:

Can anyone explain to me how to get different background effects, besides simple backdrops? Like in the picture below, is there a way I could create this environment in a regular room? Like do photographers have an equivalent of green screen? If so, what is it called?

Thanks a lot for your help, I really appreciate it.

SquarePeg · Apr 12, 2016

Just about any camera you buy will have a timer option or even the ability to use a wireless remote shutter release. Most will also allow you to connect to a laptop so you can preview the shot. Your other goals require a lot of practice and general photography knowledge. If you want professional photos then either hire a pro or start the process of becoming as good as one. There aren't a lot of shortcuts.

goooner · Apr 12, 2016

Agree with square peg. This site is great resource and there are very knowledgeable people here. It is however, not allowed to post pictures that you did not create yourself.So it would probably be best to remove the photos you've posted and maybe just post the links to the photographs.

BTW, welcome to the forum :biggrin-93:

waday · Apr 12, 2016

Agree with @SquarePeg ... I'll also add a bit:

1. Yes, 'professional/real' cameras have better features than phones/tablets. You can either use the built in timer, or you can use a remote shutter release. Yes, you can connect your camera to a laptop while shooting to see what your photos will look like. This is called tethering.

2. Practice and lighting. Learn to do as much of what you want in camera with lighting, then you can post-process the photos using Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop (there is also free software out there, but you'll find that many of us on here use the Adobe products). Research portrait photography, postprocessing, lighting on YouTube. While there are a lot of average videos, there are a few good ones. They'll get you in the right direction. And remember, photography is about light.

3. You could probably use a green screen/solid color backdrop and stock photos to create a background. The problem is that to make it look realistic, you'll have to match everything between the two photos, such as lighting, exposure, etc. You'll also have to get really, really, really, really good at post-processing. It's definitely possible, so practice!

4. (I know you didn't ask, but...) stick around here and post some of your shots. You'll get good feedback from many members (some feedback may be snarky, but carry on and push through).

5. (Again, you didn't ask, but...) if you're thinking about getting a camera, ask us for our thoughts. The members here love photography, and we usually keep up to date with the latest and greatest. We also know how to save money by recommending good websites for used equipment, when possible. Let us know your budget, and we can recommend equipment that will fit your needs. Trust us; we're much better than the salespeople in your local store who will sell you a bunch of junk you don't need.

snowbear · Apr 12, 2016

Welcome aboard.

Good advise here.
Also, if you don't have permission to post photos that aren't yours, you should be posting a link to them, instead.

TamiAz · Apr 12, 2016

You should look up Brooke Shaden. You might like her work... She does a lot of composite work in photoshop. I've taken a class by her on Creative Live and it was interesting to watch her edit her images.
Search: brooke shaden | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Designer · Apr 12, 2016

NudeModel said:
I am a 22 year old female who has never even touched a professional quality camera (unless you count phones and tablets), so please explain these things to me as if I am 5.

First question:

I want to model in my own photography, without taking simple phone "selfies", I want the pictures to look like they were professionally taken by someone else. I'm wondering if there exists a professional quality camera that has a timer on it that will take the picture when the time runs out? I know tablets and phones have this capability, but do "real" cameras? What is the best quality camera with this ability? And is there any product that gives you a way to actually see the shot while you're modeling, such as feeding what's on the screen to a monitor, so you can know what looks good and what doesn't before the time is up? Sorry if this seems silly, I just think it would be highly awesome for me if that existed and want to know if it does.

Second question:

Does anyone know of any good tutorials for how to get photography that is sort of "atmospheric"? Like the picture below; there's a certain vibe to it that I want to learn to capture, but don't quite know how. I like the clarity, contrast, cool tone, depth perception, and everything else I'm probably missing that makes this picture the way it is.

Third and last question:

Can anyone explain to me how to get different background effects, besides simple backdrops? Like in the picture below, is there a way I could create this environment in a regular room? Like do photographers have an equivalent of green screen? If so, what is it called?

Thanks a lot for your help, I really appreciate it.

Hi, and welcome!

1. Yes, I think all cameras have a self timer, but if I may suggest something better, I would recommend a radio-frequency (RF) trigger. Now, all the stuff that I or anyone recommends costs money, but there are less expensive choices available.

The reason for the RF transceiver set is that you can just hide the little device in your hand and press the button multiple times per setup.

Yes, you can tether your camera to a laptop that is positioned just outside the shot, but where you can still see the shot on the computer screen. It will make it easier to check your pose or the frame, although you will still have to get closer to verify focus, and check the histogram for proper exposure.

2. The clarity is probably good focus with a good lens, and the parts that are not in focus (blurry background) results from using a combination of aperture, distance, and camera sensor that combine to affect what all is in focus. The cool tone can be manipulated in the post-capture editing process.

And lest anyone thinks I may have forgotten to mention this; what sets this shot apart from a common snapshot is that the photographer has chosen the lighting, the lens, the background, and everything else to make the shot what it is. In other words; good photography is much more than simply getting a high quality camera.

3. Manipulating backgrounds is a skill in itself, and yes, there are many tutorials on using Photoshop, the standard for post-capture editing.

Solarflare · Apr 12, 2016

Welcome aboard.

Since your pictures are gone, I cannot comment on those ...

Timers, remote triggers and tethering has already been mentioned. Tethering software for Canon is free, while Nikon demands quite a shiny extra nickel for that one. Some cameras also offer a fully articulated backscreen, that means you can flip it around into "selfie mode". An example for that would be the Nikon D5500.

wfooshee · Apr 12, 2016

The look of most of what you refer to as "professional" and "atmospheric" come not from the camera, but from the photographer. He (or she) knows how to light for effect, and they know how to process the image on the computer. A photographer could use a cell phone for the same images if the cell phone's optics and sensor were up to snuff.

"It's not the camera, it's the photographer."

There's a thread somewhere here with that title!

Back to your situation. Sticking a camera on a tripod and triggering it remotely is going to yield the exact same images as someone simply holding the camera in front of you. If there's no light control other than the pop-up flash, it's going to suck. If the focus isn't right (which will be a problem with the self-timer) then the images will suck. If you're looking for a shortcut to get grand images of yourself to promote your modeling, there aren't any. If you want to learn boudior photography, do it with someone else as the model and stay behind the camera. If you want to model, hire a photographer. Without already being a photographer, and knowing how to light, how to edit, how to even set up in the first place (what lens, what focal length, what aperture, etc.) you will not get anything useful out of the exercise.

Watchful · Apr 12, 2016

Surprisingly no one mentioned the fact that you can feed the image to a laptop and use an HDMI cable to connect that to a big screen TV so you don't have to squint to try to see the tiny laptop screen.

Changing backgrounds is a fairly straightforward prospect and is used more in video than stills but it works the same way in both. Its called chroma key and is often used to put live actors into scale model scenes called 'bigatures' that couldn't be built in full scale without going over budget.

Everything you see in any photograph can be duplicated or mimicked once you know how it was done. Most if not all can be discovered through trial and error and perserverence. Just keep trying and research how others have done it.
No photographer has anything you don't have, no extra brain cells or additional fingers. If it can be done, it can be done by you or anyone that is willing to learn and try things.
Good luck.

Wolfox · Apr 13, 2016

NudeModel said:
I am a 22 year old female who has never even touched a professional quality camera (unless you count phones and tablets), so please explain these things to me as if I am 5.

First question:

I want to model in my own photography, without taking simple phone "selfies", I want the pictures to look like they were professionally taken by someone else. I'm wondering if there exists a professional quality camera that has a timer on it that will take the picture when the time runs out? I know tablets and phones have this capability, but do "real" cameras? What is the best quality camera with this ability? And is there any product that gives you a way to actually see the shot while you're modeling, such as feeding what's on the screen to a monitor, so you can know what looks good and what doesn't before the time is up? Sorry if this seems silly, I just think it would be highly awesome for me if that existed and want to know if it does.

Second question:

Does anyone know of any good tutorials for how to get photography that is sort of "atmospheric"? Like the picture below; there's a certain vibe to it that I want to learn to capture, but don't quite know how. I like the clarity, contrast, cool tone, depth perception, and everything else I'm probably missing that makes this picture the way it is.

Third and last question:

Can anyone explain to me how to get different background effects, besides simple backdrops? Like in the picture below, is there a way I could create this environment in a regular room? Like do photographers have an equivalent of green screen? If so, what is it called?

Thanks a lot for your help, I really appreciate it.

What camera do you have?
Don't pretend to much, just have fun and experiment.
Also indoor photos to static objects is perfect for starting.
But first learn how to use your camera. there are also thousands of free videos on Youtube to learn.
After the creations have to be YOURS avoid copying.
Also Instagram is good, put a image and look who likes, you might find someone with your same taste.

BUT FIRST LEARN HOW TO USE THE CAMERA

)))))))

PS:And don't be shy to show your cannon

I was forgetting, on the CANON side there are Android apps that even with no WIFI on the camera, you can remotely control via wifi using two android phone. Also with live view.