[tweetmeme]It amazes me how much abstract architecture there is in a train station. In this collection I’ve put together 16 of the most inspiring train station photos from the web. The next time you’re waiting for a train, pull out your camera and go for a walk. Hopefully this collection will give you a few ideas.

Quick Tips for Train Station Photography:

Symmetry: Almost all of these photos bare a symmetry, and this produces a truly stunning effect when you’re dealing with architecture.

Colours: The majority of these photos are in black and white, or are heavily desaturated with an accentuated blue element to them. This combination appears to be very effective, and adds a cool, crisp feel to the photos.

Abstraction: Look at how the photograph moves. The way the photographers have captured some of the abstract lines in these photos is astounding.

Movement: A train station is a lively place. Try to capture this in your photo

Into the Light by Philipp Klinger

Is Time Linear by Philipp Klinger

Old New York Subway Car by Tara Holland

Diffuse Station by hopefoote

Liège Guillemins by rpbdesigner

Inside the Space Station by yushimoto_02

Grand Central Station by Digital Agent

Liege Railway Station by cedsarlette

Station Story by liquidkid1

Escalator by mickeyxmouse

Symmetry by genr

Subway IV by Dr007

Subway by KYAV

Abandoned Subway by BalchPhoto

Subway song by DinnerSpoiler

The Butterfly Subway by Demyan

[tweetmeme]Most of us now use a handy little tool in Photoshop for correcting an stylizing our photographs, That’s right, ACTIONS! You got to love ‘em.
But if you’re like me you want your subject to pop, and actions sometimes seem to flatten the colors of your image especially of your subject. So hopefully this quick tip will help us all out.

Sometimes even the best photographers aren’t able to get their colors to pop with their camera. Thankfully with Photoshop we can add vivid lighting and colours to create the vibrant images such as the ones on O2.co.uk or in photography books.

First, lets take a look at our image. The whole process of fixing an image this way should only take a few minutes once you get the hang of it.

It looks alright but their faces seem to washed out so we going to ahead and ad some color.
First thing we need is a new layer, so you can add one by going to Layer > New Layer.

(Note: be sure the adjustment layer you create is above the image you want to colorize )

Now we can grab a nice cream color and get ready to paint on the layer we just created.

Now paint on our new layer wherever you want the color to pop on your subject (i.e the face).

So far so good. Now, we need to see what we’re doing, so pull the opacity down to see where everything is.

When I’m adding color like this, I normally erase the color where the eyes are, and maybe the lips. But thats up to you, I think though that it helps to have the adjustment layer effect only what you need it too, in this case the face.

We’re almost done! Just go and change the blend mode on your new layer from Normal to Soft light

To add some depth, I may add a little touch of a light red on their cheeks.

Now we’re done! If you want your can erase the edges of the colored layer and keep the colors only in the face.

And there you have it, hope you all enjoyed this quick tip for adding a healthy glow to your images!

[tweetmeme]Adding a reflection is one of the simplest, nicest effects you can apply to an image. Better still, it only takes one or two minutes. In this PhotoShop Quick Tip we go over how to add a reflection to an image or graphic in just a few simple steps.

Step 1:
Open up your image in Photoshop. For this tutorial, I’m using the PhotoGuides logo

Step 2:
Duplicate the layer you wish to create a reflection of, and select the layer on the bottom.

Step 3:
Enter transform mode by pressing control+T or command+ T, right click and select ‘Flip Vertically’.

Step 4:
Drag the newly flipped layer below your current layer. The image is now in place to have the reflection applied.

Step 5:
Add a Layer Mask to the flipped image. This can be done by clicking the icon shown in the image below.

Step 6:
Use the gradient tool with the colours as black and white, and draw a gradient from the top of your reflected image to the bottom.

Step 7:
Finally, reduce the opacity of the reflection layer to around 30-40%.

That’s all there is to it. Adding a reflection is a very easy process, and the results are stunning. Once you’ve done this once or twice, adding a reflection will become almost second nature, and you’ll be able to whip one up in just seconds.
Good luck!

[tweetmeme]There are two types of motion blur pictures. The first type is where you keep your surroundings static and bring out motion in the subject. This works pretty well with pictures where only a part of the subject is moving, like the arms or legs. The other type of blur is where you keep the subject mostly in focus and get a motion blur effect on the background. This works well when the entire subject is in motion, just like the bike in the image above.

Here are a few quick pointers for taking some cool motion blur shots.

1. Be alert and Ready to Shoot

The most  important tip that you have to remember when shooting a moving object is to be alert and ready to shoot. You must be aware of whats going on around you, have your settings ready well in advanced, and always anticipate the next step. That way you’ll never miss that perfect shot.

2. Look at your surroundings

Concentrate on your surroundings. What’s going to be in the background of your photo? Remember the background can make or break a picture.

3. Two Kinds of Motion Blur

For the first type of motion blur, keep the camera still so that the subject is blurred. Alternatively you can track your subject with the camera so that motion blur is applied to the background.

4. Use the Shutter Speed Priority Mode

Motion blur is all about shutter speed. To bring out the motion in the backdrop and keep the subject in focus, start with a shutter speed of 1/200th of a second and slow down gradually depending on the results and the speed of the subject. This will help you to determine the optimum shutter speed for motion blur in those conditions.

5. Trace the Moving Subject

Start tracking the subject before you press the shutter, and don’t stop until the photo has been taken. This will help in capturing sharp subjects. Also, using the cameras viewfinder rather than the LCD helps a lot. It helps to keep the camera steady and allows your pivot to be far more accurate.

6. S-AF or Servo Focus

Set the Focus to S-AF or Servo. On this mode, the camera will continue to focus regardless of whether your finger is on the button. This helps in tracking the fast moving objects because it saves the time spent focusing before a shot. It was built specifically for this reason, so why not use it if you have it.

7. Use a Low ISO

Set the ISO to the lowest possible setting. If you cannot prepare for a test shot then set it somewhere between 200 and 400.

8. One Thirds Always Works

Select the focus point off the center. If you don’t have the ability to do this, select the center focus and crop it during post processing. The One third rule almost always works. Again photography is all about breaking rules. Break them when you feel they work.

9. Steady Hands and the Perfect Pivot

Try to keep hold the camera tight. This will avoid some unwanted blur. A great tip this is to use the viewfinder instead of the LCD. By doing this your pivot will be far more accurate because the camera is following your eyes, not your arms.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

Practice, practice and practice. This is the key to success.

Keep visiting back for more tips and techniques.

Sydney New Year’s Eve Fireworks by Christopher Chan

[tweetmeme]With Christmas just days away and with a new year in the loom, fireworks displays are going to be seen and heard all around the world. These incredible celebratory displays are not only spectacle for the eye though, they’re also a fantastic subject for photography. In theory, fireworks photography should be difficult. After all, bright explosions that are scattered around a smokey night sky seem like a difficult subject to photograph. In actual fact though, fireworks are quite easy to photograph, and with a bit of practice you’ll attain stunning results.
Here are some tips to help you capture fireworks in the best possible way.

1. Use a Tripod

It’ll be dark, so you’re going to need to use a long exposure. Because of this, any slight movements will result in a blurry photo. In order to capture these fireworks in crisp motionless clarity you’re going to need a tripod to keep your camera steady.

2. Set the Shutter Speed to ‘Bulb’

In order to capture the true essence of the fireworks display, you’ll want to try and capture the motion of the firework traveling through and exploding in the sky. As a result, a long exposure will be needed. However, because fireworks are spontaneous, it’s tricky to guess just how long to keep the shutter open for.

Using the ‘Bulb’ setting is an easy way to get around this problem. Represented by the letter ‘b’, the bulb setting will hold the shutter open for as long as you have your finger on the button. Press the shutter button just prior to the firework being shot into the sky, and release it when the explosion begins to fade away. This way you’ll have the control to capture only the light that you want to.

3. Use a Small Aperture

Despite the night sky, fireworks displays are deceptively bright. Because of this, using a large aperture could cause your photo to be overexposed, or the light trail of the fireworks to be too powerful. The smaller aperture helps to control the brightness of the fireworks and ensure that the colours and light isn’t overpowering, as well as helping to maintain the exposure of your photo. If you’re a long way from the fireworks then I suggest using an aperture of F8, and if you’re close to the action use a smaller aperture of around F16.

4. Use Manual Focus

Due to the dark sky and the speed of the firework, it’s nearly impossible to focus your shot automatically. Thus, a manual focus is required. Depending on the distance you are from the fireworks, you might like to try infinity focus to ensure you capture the whole scene in clarity.

5. Keep the ISO Low

Using a lower ISO will allow for a cleaner image, and will also help to prevent the bright, powerful firework explosions from overpowering your image. An ISO of around 100 should do the job.

Fireworks by mk_xena

6. Turn the Flash Off

Due to the distance of the fireworks, your flash won’t do anything. All that it will do is light up the objects close to you, and having a person’s back or a tree well lit could potentially ruin your photo.

7. Use a Remote

If you’ve got a remote, now’s the time to use it. Because we’re using the ‘Bulb’ setting, we’re going to need our finger on the shutter for quite a long time, but any movements, knocks, or even the process of pressing and releasing the button could cause a blurry photo. The remote will allow you to have full control over the shutter without running the risk of moving your camera.

8. Be Ready to Shoot Early

As the fireworks display goes on, the sky will become riddled with smoke. This can become annoying when you’re trying to capture the crisp clean colours of the fireworks. To get around this problem, it’s best to be prepared early, with your camera and equipment set up to capture even the first firework.

9. Framing Your Shot

Try portrait, try landscape, try shooting directly at the sky, try zooming in, try a wide angle shot, try just about everything. The fireworks don’t necessarily have to be the feature of your shot. If the display is over a lake or a bridge, be sure to include it. Perhaps even try and include silhouettes of people. Alternatively, aim to capture the fine details of the fireworks. Zoom right in so that you can see the colours and the smokey tail of the explosion. Perhaps even point the camera directly at the sky. Experiment with all the angles and focal lengths possible, keeping in mind that the most beautiful fireworks photographs are the ones featuring the scenes around them.

10. Bring a Black Sheet or Cap

A black sheet or cap can be very handy when you’re trying to capture multiple fireworks explosions in a single shot. As soon as the first explosion is finished, cover the lens of the camera with the black object. This will allow you to keep your shutter open, without letting in any light. As soon as the next firework is launched, remove the black object and allow the light to pass through the lens.

That’s all there is to it. In theory, fireworks photography should be difficult, but provided you apply these basic settings and implement these simple tricks, you’ll be walking away with stunning fireworks photographs.

Merry christmas, happy new year, and good luck!

‘Photographer’ by thibanphoto

[tweetmeme]Any photographer will understand the difficulties of dealing with camera shake. Whether lighting is dim or you’re zoomed in, a slight movement while the shutter is open could ruin your whole photo.
The clear solution is to use a tripod or to rest your camera on a steady object. But what if you’ve got nothing to lean on, or you’ve left your tripod at home?
Here are a few quick tips to help you avoid camera shake.

1. Keep your camera close. Look through the viewfinder

If you hold your camera far away from your body with your arms stretched as far as they can go, then a tiny movement will be amplified, thus resulting in a blury photo. If however you hold your camera close and look through the viewfinder then slight movements won’t matter as much. Also, holding your camera closer to your body will improve your balance, and even though it’s only a slight improvement, it really does count towards reducing that camera shake.

2. Your elbows are perfect tripods

Lie on your stomach with your elbows on the ground and look through the viewfinder. By doing this, your elbows will act as the perfect support for your camera and significantly reduce camera shake.
If however you can’t lie on the ground or you’re wearing your good shirt, leaning down on one knee with an elbow resting on your knee can also be beneficial.

3. Pretend it’s a machine gun

The ‘Machine Gun Hold’ is quite a popular ‘trick of the trade’. Place your left hand on your right shoulder, and simply rest the camera on your arm.

4. Hold your breath

The movements made by your body while breathing can actually have an impact on your photos. In order to avoid this, simply hold your breath for the duration of the shot. If you’re shooting with a 30 second shutter speed though I wouldn’t recommend this. If that’s the case, just get a tripod.

5. Use the 2 second countdown timer

The simple action of pushing the shutter button can cause a significant amount of movement. Thankfully, many cameras have a two second countdown timer to avoid blur as a result of pressing the button. If your camera doesn’t have the two second countdown timer then you could use the ten second timer instead. It may be a long time to wait, but it will help to keep your camera as steady as possible.

6. Hold onto that lens

This doesn’t apply if you’re using a point and shoot with a small lens. If you’re using an SLR with a long or heavy lens, then placing a hand towards the end of the lens can be a great way to avoid camera shake.

That’s pretty much it. As a night and evening photography enthusiast, I always used to struggle with camera shake. These tips though really have helped me out, and hopefully they’ll help you out too.
If you’ve got any more tips, feel free to share them in the comments. Good luck!