The Academy of Fine Arts in kolkata is one of the oldest fine art societies in India.
It is the main Art hub of our kolkata and the ambiance and the mood is just Artistic all around.. 
If u have a artist in you this is the best place to showcase it ..
Some snaps during the event ...
 
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Photomatix Pro Tutorial: The Basics In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image using three photographs of the same scene taken under different exposures, and to process it with tone mapping and exposure fusion.

HDR image creation starts with taking photos of a High Dynamic Range scene as detailed in Step 1


Note: Photomatix allows you to process a single image with tone mapping, but this tutorial only covers HDR processing with multiple exposures. Note that a single image is not sufficient to capture the dynamic range of a high contrast scene.

 

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Step 1: Take photos of an HDR sceneTo create the best HDR images, you need to take enough exposures to properly cover the dynamic range of the scene.

 If your camera offers Auto-Exposure Bracketing (AEB), select the Continuous Shooting mode, make sure the camera is set to Aperture Priority, and select an exposure increment of +/-2. The camera will automatically vary the shutter speed each time the shutter button is pressed, taking several exposures spaced by two-stop increments.

You may have to change the exposures manually if your camera does not offers AEB, or if it can only take 3 auto-bracketed frames when the dynamic range of the scene requires 5 or more.

Photomatix enables you to align images if the camera moved slightly between frames, but using a tripod is still recommended.

In Step 2, we will load the images into Photomatix.


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Step 2: Load your bracketed photosThe easiest way to load your bracketed photos is to select the files with Windows Explorer and drag them together Photomatix Pro.

You will then get a dialog asking you what you would like to do with the dragged files. Select Merge for HDR processing and click on OK.

The next dialog lists the files selected. If necessary, you can remove files or select others.

You can also directly access the dialog to select source images by either clicking on the Load Bracketed Photos button on the Workflow Shortcutspanel, or going to the File menu and clicking onLoad Bracketed Photos....


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Step 3: Preprocess and merge the photosThe next window lets you specify options for preprocessing and merging the photos.

If your photos were taken hand-held, check the Align source images box and select the By matching features method. The three photos of the Grand Canal were taken using a tripod, but we still check the alignment option to correct for small alignment problems that may happen even with a tripod.

If your scene includes moving objects or people, check the Reduce ghosting artifacts option. Thesemi-manual option is recommended for better results.

If the bracketed photos you loaded are RAW files, check the Reduce noise option with the on source images selected. You may also check this option with jpeg or TIFF files.


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Step 4: Adjust the image to your likingThe Settings window on the left lets you adjust the process, method and settings. There are two processes: Tone Mapping, which is applied to the merged 32-bit HDR image, and Exposure Fusion, which combines the source photos directly.

The Preview window on the right shows a preview of the final tone mapped image. You can adjust the preview size using the radio buttons on top.

It is important to note that the preview is only an approximation -- the final result may slightly differ in the case of the Details Enhancer and Fusion/Adjust methods.

The buttons at the bottom of the Settings window let you undo or redo settings, restore the default settings, and load and save presets.

You can also access presets directly by clicking on the thumbnails of the Preset Thumbnails panel. The "Built-in" presets show by default


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Step 4: Adjust the image (continued)Try different processes and methods with your image.

The Exposure Fusion process tends to produce more natural-looking results and has the advantage of reducing noise.

The Tone Mapping process is the most versatile, offering a large variety of styles, or "looks", depending on the method and settings.

There are two Tone Mapping methods: the Details Enhancer method increases local contrast and details, which makes it possible to process your image in creative ways. The Tone Compressor method produces a more "photographic" look.


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Step 5: Save the image The Preview shows a low resolution representation of the image. To save the image at original resolution, you will have first to process it with the adjustments you selected. To do this, click on the Process button located at bottom of the Settings window.

Once the processing has completed, choose File > Save As.

The processed image is in 16 bits/channel mode. However, you can choose to save it as 8-bit JPEG, if desired. Saving as 16-bit TIFF is recommended for further processing.

 -  End of tutorial  -

 
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There's more to taking photos than standing or crouching. 
Here's ten ways to change your view...

1. Sit down
Be it on the floor, or on a seat, sitting immediately gives you a lower perspective and therefore new photo opportunities. Trees and people for example, can tower over you when sat down for that overbearing feel. Often photographing young children looks more natural from a seated position too, as you're at their level rather than shooting down on them.

2. Climb up high
Head for the nearest tower or hill to get a stunning view of a town or landscape below you. Capturing the rolling landscape around you in a panorama can also look stunning.

3. Go out to sea
Take your camera (be careful if it's not waterproof!) and walk out into the sea, turning round to face the beach. If you don't fancy getting wet, just walk towards the water and stand at the edge, shooting up the beach rather than out to sea as most people do. You could also get on a boat of some sort and see what spectacular pictures of the coast you can get while out there. An organised boat trip will also give you a fantastic opportunity to capture some amazing wildlife photos while you're at it, too. 

4. Go underwater
If you have the right equipment, shooting underwater is well worth a try. You don't even have to go diving, you could simply buy an underwater camera and have a go in a pool or at the beach in shallower water. This is a fun one for kids to have a go at, too. 

5. Take a stepladder with you
It might sound silly but if you're trying to take photos at a busy event where there's a big crowd, you'll be able to shoot above them. It will help you avoid getting people's heads in shots and give you a great opportunity to get a general overview of the scene. A step/ladder will also get you closer to items that are slightly too high for you to shoot from the ground and offer a slightly alternative angle to everyday objects that are shot straight on generally. 

6. Hold your camera up high
This may sound the same as taking a step ladder along with you but it will, again, give you a different perspective of the scene. 

7. Go wide
Why settle for a standard 4 x 6 shot when you can shoot a panorama? With built in panorama modes it's now easier than ever to take these wider shots. All you have to do is select the Panorama Mode and sweep your camera in the direction you want to create your panorama. The camera then stitches the images together so you have a sweeping shot of the scene you're shooting. 

8. Lie down
Again, this can get you some funny looks but it's worth it as you'll get an ant's eye view that can give surprisingly good photographic results. Use a small aperture to maximise depth of field and keep an eye on your exposure if you're including the sky in your shot. This position is also great for macro and close up shots of insects and plants, and any other small items on the ground. 

9. Use reflections
Reflections can be great tools for changing perspective. As well as the obvious choices such as landscapes reflected in mirror-like lakes, look for puddles you can reflect people with brollys in, new buildings made of glass which can reflect slightly older structures and more abstract shots when the winds blowing so the water's surface isn't still. 

10. Shoot from under/below things
This involves positioning your camera so it's low to the ground but facing up towards the sky. This can produce some great images of flowers, for example, as it make it look like they're leaning over your lens and provides a unique opportunity to get a lot of sky in the picture too.

Don't just read it try it out...U will have great results...



 
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35 Most Beautiful Women Photography Examples and Tips for Taking Great Photos of Women

1. Make sure you spend a lot of time getting to know your subject prior to the shoot; it is crucial to develop a relationship with them, to gain their trust and confidence. This may be through phone calls, or an initial meeting.

2. Photographing women is 90% psychology and 10% technique - it is vital you understand that their issues are real. If they tell you they hate their teeth/hair.skin/eyes/height etc, then even if you can't see a single blemish - you have to realise that is all they will focus on, so you need to be aware of this. I always say "well, I think your teeth look great; and you haven't mentioned your fantastic hair - it's gorgeous and we need to really make the most of it". Most women will not tell you what they like about themselves, so you will build up their confidence if you mention it.

3. You will notice I have not mentioned cameras, or photographic techniques yet - this is because I cannot over-emphasise how important it is that you get to understand your subject - it is this part that will pay off hugely when you start to shoot.

4. Talk through clothes, and try and find outfits which will flatter them. Tight tops will not look good when she sits down, no matter how slim she is. Look for jackets and tops which cover the arms, to place emphasis on the face.

5. V necked tops work much better than polo necks, or round necks, as a v neck elongates the neck, and is therefore more flattering.

6. A white t shirt under a top is great for reflecting light back into the face, black has the opposite effect and can be aging. Pushing up sleeves makes arms look longer and slimmer.

7. Treat the whole experience as a fashion shoot; get them excited by the prospect of their own personal fashion shoot - talk about great locations you can use, and where you can have coffee and lunch breaks - this will really help them to relax because they feel you are giving them time, and working together to create great photos - you're going on an adventure! 

8. Positioning is hugely important - practice on a friend - move around them and see where they look best - move their legs, head, arms etc until you see where they look most flattering. Shoot from above - makes a big difference if their eyes are looking up at you. Only stunning models with great jaw lines look good from below.

9. If your subject is very overweight - and is not happy with this, do not photograph her full length - she will hate it. You can get some great shots just using head and shoulders, by lying her on the floor and missing out her body. Just keep changing clothes and locations to vary the shots.

10. Ask your subject to stretch, or lean forward, so they look relaxed but more taut - makes a big difference.