Photography: Art & Business

Can a $1 picture say a thousand words?

2012-02-21T06:57:00.000-08:00

An old paradigm goes: you need to spend money to make money. No matter how tight your budget is, you can't do without spending on marketing to achieve growth. The trick is to spend wisely.

Let's say you sell beauty products, you'll need a simple but elegant website, printed flyers, probably a catalog, a blogs, e-mail campaigns, sales presentations, brochures, ads. Which means you'll need beautiful pictures so hat your brand is perceived correctly.

Hiring a photographer costs $80-150 an hour and many small business owners have taken this matter into their own hands by figuring out how to use their digital cameras as we reported some time ago. See our post on how to set up the lighting for a home product shoot.

Now, there is a new trend that we have observed among our customers: small business owners purchase stock photography at $1/shot and then send them to PhotoHand for alterations and merging with other images - mostly home made photos - to produce editorial-level ads for products or services.

I this example a professionally-shot image purchased from a stock photography website was altered several times to present different variations of a beauty product. These images were further combined with amateur shots of the branded containers. The total cost with the volume discount - $5.95 per ad.

In another example, a stock photo was converted into an illustration to the company's business model by changing the background, adding some graphic elements and incorporating the company's product pictures. The total cost of the ad production - $16.95.

To create such ads the agency way would have cost at least $300: You would have to pay a photographer, a model, a stylist and still use a photo retoucher. Be smart! A penny saved is a penny earned.

Cropping Photos to Improve the Visual Effect

2012-01-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

Cropping is a useful tool for photo improvement. Though it sounds like an easy trick, cropping is more art than science and you need an eye for it. Still there are some general guidelines that can help you improve the visual effect of your photos.

Focus in!

Crop to bring the attention to the main object or person. In a portrait, the person's eyes are the focal point. If the person is looking sideways, make sure to allow 'space' for her to look into or include enough of the object so the viewer knows what the the person is looking at. Otherwise the viewer will wonder what is missing. Cropping also lets you remove the parts of the picture that didn't turn well, let's say because of awkward posing like in the example below.

Don't amputate!

Cropping off people's limbs at joints makes them look like amputees. Despite a very popular concern, it's okay to crop part of the head if it's a close portrait, as it will bring more attention to the eyes. Cutting between the joints is alright as long as it's still possible for the mind's eye to fill in the blanks to complete a person's torso or limb.

An example of bad cropping where the hand cut off at the wrist appears detached. The only way to fix this effect is to re-crop the photo to a close portrait."

Combine tilting with cropping!

In some situations tilting can save the day when you realize the only photo that you like is still bad.

Remove distractions!

Remove the view-spoilers, parts of unidentifiable objects and things that distracts from the story the image is telling.

In this picture, someone's back was a view-spoiler in otherwise a nice portrait. The photo allowed for easy cropping that brought the new balance to the composition by seemingly adding to the empty space in the direction of the person' glance."

Watch the 'negative space'!

This is the space around the central object. Cropping too tightly will make the photo look awkward.

Cropping Contextual Images

The images surrounding the person or the object in the center of attention serve as the context and create the picture story and establish the mood. It becomes a critical compositional component that need to be cropped to have a balanced visual effect. To reach the optimal result, it is recommended to follow the Rule of Thirds.

The Rule of Thirds:

Divide the frame into thirds horizontally and vertically. The points where those lines intersect are good starting points to place the main subject. Essentially the primary subject is slightly off center. Look at the illustration bellow. In the original photo the person is put squarely in the middle and the background is cropped too tight leaving no breathing space above and below the figure. By cropping right below the hand (not to lose the gesture) and reducing the space on the left we re-balance the composition to bring it it in line with the Rule-of-Thirds."

You might find it impossible to follow all these rules as they start to clash when your photo has more than one problem. You would need to compromise or send it to us at PhotoHand and we'll apply more advanced techniques to perfect your mementos.

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You might also want to read:

Cropping Photos to Match Printing Standards

Other Point-and-Click Tips

Cropping Photos to Match Printing Standards

2012-01-17T11:19:00.000-08:00

Cropping is used to make your shots fit the standard photo paper sizes. It's done by bringing the aspect ratio of your photo to the aspect ratio of a standard print size.

An aspect ratio is simply the ratio between the width and height — the shape of an image. A square photo, for example, would have a 1:1 aspect ratio where the width is the same as the height.

Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a set frame aspect ratio of 1:1.33 (known as 4:3) when most DSLRs use the aspect ratio of 1:1.5 (known as 3:2).

In comparison, standard photo paper sizes have the following aspect ratios:
6"x4" - 1:1.5
7"x5" - 1:1.4
10"x8" - 1:1.25

As you can see the DSLR aspect ratio fits the format of 6"x4". In other situations you need to crop your photo.

It is recommended that you crop the photos yourself before sending them to a printer. Otherwise they will use their own judgment what parts of the photo can be sacrificed.

If you need a photo editor, we recommend using GIMP - free open-source software that has been around for quite a while:

for Windows:
http://www.gimp.org/downloads

for Mac
http://www.gimp.org/macintosh

Looking good for 2012

2011-12-27T14:03:00.000-08:00

As the New Year approaches, PhotoHand Team wishes you happiness and much needed in these trying economic times prosperity in 2012! We would like to thank our customers - many of you have been coming to our site for years. We value your loyalty and greatly appreciate when you take your time to expressed your thanks. Your letters mean a lot to us!

PhotoHand Introduces Photo Gifts with Modern Aesthetics in Mind

2011-11-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holiday season, PhotoHand unveils PhotoHand Gifts website to offer gift shoppers custom-designed photobooks, multi-image prints, framed photos, standouts Christmas decorations, photo mugs and puzzles while aiming to further expand into other gift types.

Gifts that are uniquely personalized with photos are perfect for Christmas, birthdays, weddings and anniversaries adding a nice personal touch to the tradition. The variety of photo gifts on offer has been steadily increasing. Now it's the time to step up the quality of these keepsakes that is usually impaired by the flaws of the original photo image.

PhotoHand - a leading online specialist in photo fixing and design - comes to the rescue by putting the brains before the brawn and perfecting the image before it goes in photo gift production. Properly edited and enhanced, bland images turn into editorial-style photography that transforms any gift item into a precious memento.

Artful application of photo retouching and graphic design makes all the difference between stylish and cheesy and brings photo gifts in line with the modern aesthetics.

Happy Halloween from Mr. Card – an Overly Enthusiastic Nikon DSLR Fan

2011-10-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

We love Halloween mostly for the unbridled self-expression that it bring out. We even compete at who takes more photos of outrageous costumes when we post them on Facebook. And every year you stumble upon a costume that you don’t know how to comment on. This year our award for the most puzzling costume goes to Mr. Card.

With so many options people go for this Halloween, Mr. Card chose to devise a Nikon D3 DSLR Halloween costume that actually takes real digital photos.

Fully Functional Camera Costume from Tyler Card on Vimeo.
If you making a mental note to make such a costume next year, here is an instructional video. After all, given that taking photos is a form of socializing there is a good change Mr. Card was very popular this weekend.

Making of the Camera Costume from Tyler Card on Vimeo.

How We Survived Hurricane Irene - In Pictures

2011-08-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

Those of us deserted in the New York City by friends and family who rushed to the suburbs for safety, spent most of our hurricane weekend on the phone reporting that everything was fine. Now, as the deserters were struggling to get back to the city, we decided not to disappoint them and tell them how it really was.

Getting ready for the big wave

No one was safe

After the storm

Does your profile picture work for you?

2011-08-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

Whether you are a lawyer, a sales person, an executive, an entrepreneur or a creative type, you need a business portrait also called a headshot, mugshot, or executive portrait to use as a profile picture online, on business cards and brochures, in company annual reports, for the press, etc.

Why good profile pictures matter
Remember, first impression are difficult to change and a business portrait is the ideal way to show the public exactly who you are. So you need to put your best photo forward to produce the right first impression and there are several things to take into account when making that picture perfect.

How to pose
You need a shot where you look relaxed but confident and look into the camera for eye contact. The purpose of a business portrait is to connect and establish trust while you are not physically there.

How to dress
First, wear something comfortable - posing is hard the way it is and wearing clothes that don't sit well will make you look stiff and unnatural. On the other hand, be aware of clothing that wrinkles easily as that will look sloppy and unprofessional.

Otherwise, your choice of clothing should be dictated by the type of image you are looking to project - conservative, friendly, artsy or approachable. Still, there are certain photography-related technicalities and some natural rules of perception to be taken into account.

Keep in mind that all black clothes might come out as a solid black spot while all white will reflect the flash light and might "blind" the camera. Off-white, navy blue, gray and brown, are better choices for neutral colors.

For women, avoid open shoulders and deep cuts. When you photo is cropped to fit the online format or the layout of the publication, you might appear as if wearing no clothes. It is better if you wear a long sleeve shirt which is more flattering on arms than short. Avoid busy prints and jewelry - they are distracting in photos.

Hire a professional or use a lucky amateur shot?
Needless to say that a professional will deliver a good portrait with ease helping you with posing and setting the lighting in no time. But hiring a professional is not always an option when you are self-employed or an entrepreneur on a tight budget. In this case, if you have a good shot taken by an amateur, it can be enhanced to the level of the studio portrait. The photo below was improved at $11.95. Without the change of the background, this would have cost $3.50 - an affordable expense for any budget.

Contemporary consumer cameras go to 10 Megapixels and higher to give you top-notch resolution of any professional camera. With a good lighting, your friend, colleague or a family member can produce a decent shot of you that will be enhance to the grade of a studio portrait by a retoucher.

Should I get my photo retouched?
Professionally shot "executive portraits" normally get retouched. This is a subtle procedure to give your image a "fresher" (not younger) look. Any temporary skin imperfections like blemishes and rashes that tend to pop up in digitally shot photos due to the sharpness of the capture get evened out. If your eyes welled up with tears during intense posing and excessive lighting, the retoucher will dry them and fix the eye redness. Flyaway hair that gives the image a sloppy look is removed. Makeup is fixed. Eyeglasses glare and unsightly facial shadows get eliminated. For men, shaving mishaps get corrected. Flashlight reflection that makes the face look oily is toned down. Lint is removed from clothing.

These might sound like trifle things but all these tiny imperfections, hardly noticeable in reality, get into the limelight when a person sees your photo for the first time. After all, it's 70% how you look, 20% how you sound, and 10% what you say.

Photography Fashion: Photoshoot in Style!

2011-08-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

Accessorize your camera! Go photoshooting in style by adding some couture to your camera, whether it's SLR or Point and Shoot type. Original and colorful camera straps will add to your look or can serve as excellent gifts for Photography fans.

Trendy Camera Straps offers an elegant collection of neck straps and wristlets for men and women that features modern design pattern.

Capture Couture offers a variety of material- silk, organza, tapesty - get several for different occasions and seasons.

In the mood for funky monkey, pink bling or green camouflage, there are themed camera straps for you.

There is something for everyone. Pick your style!

What Is 'Natural' in Photography?

2011-07-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Some time ago I saw an amateur picture of a woman with her baby posted online with a defiant comment that she was proud of her natural unretouched look. The picture looked pretty bad. You could tell there wasn't enough light in the room when it was taken, so her skin and he baby looked earthy and bluish. The low angle from which the photo was taken was rather unflattering. She had no makeup on and her hair was messy.

I couldn't understand her logic. If you are shooting a picture for keeps and posting online you would normally pretty yourself up to have a photo that celebrates you and brings you in a good mood.You would ask someone to take the photo of you so that person would give you directions for better posing.

Then there was another comment that made me join the discussion. She compared the "honesty" of her photo to the "naturalness" of Annie Leibovitz photography. Without stating the obvious points of difference between the lady's self-portrait and the creations of a genius, I'll get to the educational part: the 'naturalness' of great portraits is achieved through hours of collaborative work.

For starters, the photographer will help you with posing and your facial expression to make sure you do relax and do look natural in front of the camera. A real professional will make sure the background doesn't have any distracting elements to spoil the view: water bottles, bags, exit signs, or any other clutter.

S/he will watch out for stray strands of hair, wardrobe malfunctions, and other obvious issues.

A top-level photographer comes with a crew that includes, depending on the budget, the following type of helpers:

- Lighting Assistant who directs a reflector to bounce light onto the subjects, sets up flash stands and adjusts the settings on external flash units, and holds and aims video lights.

- Photographic Stylist who collects the necessary materials and props before the shoot from various suppliers, arranging objects in the desired fashion and setting up lights and special effects, if any, e.g. fog, wind or rain.

- Hair and Makeup Stylist - Even a natural beauty that doesn’t need much help but a little enhancement can go a long way with some makeup. As a minimum, you need a flash-resistant foundation so that your skin doesn't appear oily. During the shoot, this professional corrects the smudges and watches out for stray strands of hair.

- Wardrobe Stylist - knows how to accentuate the positive attributes of the people they dress. Choosing the right outfit to flatter someone—in a way that is appropriate for each event—is an art. Fashion styling requires extensive knowledge of the fashion industry and a knack for matching your clients with the clothing that will support the image they want to project.

Depending on the chosen style these professionals can present different facets of YOU.

In 2008, Vogue Paris demonstrated how, without any retouching, and only with the application of makeup, wardrobe lighting the same woman could appear as a 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60-year old:

Vogue Paris November 2008 with Eniko Mihalik by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin styled by Carine Roitfeld, make-up by Lisa Butler

Technically, these are natural (unretouched) photos, unless you consider makeup that women wear routinely to be a grand illusion. But somehow I think that discretely retouched portraits where photography flaws have been eliminated, skin has been cleaned, undereye shadows lightened, static hair removed, and the background clutter eliminated to be more 'natural':

Papercraft Celebrates Retro Photo Cameras

2011-07-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

These 100% recyclable retro cameras are for keeps. Each device is cut by hand utilizing sustainable paper, and even the smallest “waste” scraps are re-used to form some of the smallest detailed components.

The photo camera and the Polroid were crafted by design studio Zim and Zou based in Nancy, France, and there is more colorful retro electronic devices made of paper to admire.

Point-and-Click Tips: Taking the Red Eye Glow Out Of the Picture

2011-07-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Red eyes (red glow in pupils) in photos is a common phenomenon when taking pictures of people or animals using a flash.

Some cameras support a "red eye reduction" mode. In that mode the camera fires the flash a few times before taking the photo. Although this helps reducing the red-eye effect, it can also result in photos of people with their eyes closed (as they blink when blinded by the pre-flash).

There are a few things that you can do to prevent red-eyes.

1. Take the pictures with sufficient light in the environment so that your subjects' pupils decrease in size.
2. Tell them to look to the side of your camera - not straight at the camera.
3. Have someone divert babies or pets' attention so that they look away from the camera.

Some cameras include built-in image processing software that automatically removes red-eye from the photos, or you can use Picasa or other online photo editing software. Make sure that the software only effects the eye area and doesn't change the color of other elements in the picture that happen to have the tint typical of the red eye effect. Software trips in such cases as it works on formulas and doesn't exercise common sense.

Another option is having it done by professional photo retouchers for as low as $3.50, especially in case you have captured a close portrait in a dark environment and now the whole eye retina is glowing red.

Point-and-Click Tips: Avoiding Overexposure and Underexposure When Taking Pictures Outdoors

2011-07-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

Although digital point and shoot cameras are generally automated to measure the amount of light in an environment and apply the proper settings to take a good picture, the camera often makes an exposure decision that is incorrect due to complicated scene conditions. Most of the time, when a shot is underexposed, the details in the shadows can be recovered in Photoshop, while you can't fix a photo if the details are not there as the result of overexposure.

Overexposure: photos that are washed out, too bright, or have blown-out areas.

Direct bright light will create overexposure. To avoid it, as the first measure, make sure the sun is not shining into the lens while you are taking a picture. Sounds like the most obvious thing but you'll be surprised how many people don't think of it. It is recommended to put your subject in a shady area when shooting a sunny day.

Besides washing out the image, the harsh light creates a strong contrast where the highlights are too white and the shadows too black.

Uneven contract can be an eye sore. For example if the object's face is lit from the side the object's nose can create a strong shadow. When lt from above, the face will feature black spots in the undereye area, under the nose and on the chin. The camera can not automatically correct such effects. Use flash on the shade side to even out the exposure to light on both sides!

Underexposure: Photos that are underexposed look dark and lack details. When printed in large sizes they show pixelation instead of solid colors.

The obvious reason for underexposure is poor lighting. But it can also occur if there is a very bright light source in the photo. It can confuse the camera to believe that there is enough light in the scene for a low exposure setting. The result will be a photo that captures the bright area but darkens all the others.

To prevent underexposure you have to move closure to your subject and make sure your subject is the most well-lit element within the frame.

General: Outdoor photos can benefit greatly by overcast skies or by taking photos early in the morning or in the evening. Taking photos when the sun is at a 45 degree angle will result in richer colors.

New Tennessee Law Bans Posting Images That Cause Emotional Distress

2011-06-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

The new Tennessee law that bans posting images that cause emotional distress has caused a lot of stir in the media. Specifically, it outlaws posting photos on the web that cause "emotional distress" to someone and have no "legitimate purpose." The punishment amounts to a year in prison and nearly $2,500 in fines. It is stated that there needs to be "malicious intent," so dimwits with poor judgement can be off the hook, but the law nails down the persons who "reasonably should know" that the actions would "frighten, intimidate or cause emotional distress."

Unfortunately the wording of the law motivated by good intentions is too broad not to get into a conflict with the Freedom of Speech. For starters, it doesn't require that the picture be of the “victim,” only that it be distressing to the “victim.” This leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

With all the criticism the law has received, we should appreciate the attempt of the Tennessee law-makers at curbing the actions of bullies and bitter jerks who, thanks to the Internet, now enjoy the access to worldwide audiences.

When the news came, we remembered a rather creepy call to our studio asking if we could place a new face on a totally naked body in another photo. We do photo montage but our company policy precludes us from handling images that feature frontal nudity and we quickly turned down the order. The caller lamented that no studio would take his order. We were glad to hear that though most probably the guy eventually found someone to do the job.

Women, and we know this as our staff and clients are primarily female, are very sensitive about their photos and often feel like executing their friends for posting lousy photos of them on Facebook - not the malicious ones but just bad photos taken from an unfavorable angle at the wrong moment. Now if these are really embarrassing shots taken by creeps for whom propriety and civility have no value, we seriously want them to be brought to court.

So, no matter how imperfect the Tennessee Law is in defining the "emotional distress", it's a good start for a movement to protect the dignity of ordinary persons as well as celebrities.

PhotoHand presents its services at My Freaking Wedding Bridal Show in New York

2011-04-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

On April 17, 2011 PhotoHand.com presented its services for photo improvement, wedding book design and save-the-date card design as well as wedding invitation package design at My Freaking Wedding Bridal Show in Manhattan.

My Freaking Wedding, a bridal show organizer supported by an off-beat content website filled with tips on how to add flavor to the tried and true wedding routine partnered with a dozen of wedding vendors to feature local products and services that are the “hidden treasures” of New York.

The event was filmed by a talented New York director Rene Ortiz.

Boudoir Photo - A Perfect Valentine's Day Gift

2011-02-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

Valentine’s Day is the busiest day of the year for boudoir photographers as women are looking to drop the tired clichés in favor of an original and sexy gift.

What is boudoir photography?
It is sensual and tasteful photography that portrays a woman in the best light possible - fun and sexy pictures.

What it is not are R-rated or X-rated photos taken by some creep claiming to be an artist. Nudity and porn are certainly not boudoir photography.

Though the origins of boudoir photography date back to the early 20th century and trace their roots to the pin-up girls of WWII France, it was only in the last couple of years that this photography genre has entered the mainstream.

Women took to it as a way to celebrate themselves and capture their essence at a particular time of their life.

Now some photographers provide group packages which makes the service more affordable for women and creates a fun and supportive atmosphere where you cheer each other up.

What makes for a good boudoir photo?
♥ Sensual yet comfortable posing is essential - looks don’t matter as much as how you are feeling. You must feel beautiful, confident and sexy. Above all, the boudoir photo shoot should boost your self-esteem, not break it.

♥ The lighting should be used in the most flattering way.

♥ Discreet retouching - no cellulite, blemishes, rashes or any other skin imperfections, no wrinkles, no double chins. Your photo should be poetry celebrating you, not prose.

These rules will make your boudoir portrait a perfect Valentine's gift for your significant other.

How Big Can I Print My Photo?

2011-01-31T19:04:00.000-08:00

How big can I print my photos is a very common question. Even professional photographers happen to struggle with this topic.

To avoid any further confusion that we could inflict by technical calculations we put together the following practical matrix showing how many megapixels (M) you should set your camera to if you want to have your photo printed in one of the standard sizes. If your camera settings show width-to-height dimensions in pixels, the additional table below will come handy.
Note: The calculations are based on the printing standards requiring the resolution of 300 pixels per square inch (a.k.a. 300dpi). (A pixel is the smallest measurement of the picture size. 1 Megapixel = 1 Million Pixels.)

Can I stretch out an image for a bigger print?
Yes, you can, but the resolution will diminish resulting in a blurrier print. Let's say you want your photo twice bigger. Then by stretching it out you impair the resolution to 150 pixels per square inch. You can still print your photo but you might not be happy with the result, especially if the image was not high quality to atrt with.

Can an image be enlarged for a bigger print?
Yes, PhotoHand provides this service - it is included in the price of Photo Retouching. The end result may be not as sharp as you want it to be, depending on the quality of the original shot.

Any defect in the original picture resulting from a bad focus, low quality lense, dim lighting, too much flash, camera shaking will only be magnified and might not be subject to effective correction. Keep in mind that even with the ideal shot, it's not recommended to lower the resolution to less than 200 dpi.

How Do I Know How Many Megapixels There Are in My Images Once It Is Saved on My Computer?
The number of Kilobytes (KB) or Megabytes (MB) in your computer file roughly corresponds to the number of pixels and megapixels. For example, 2MB photo file will have about 2M (Megapixels) and is good to be printed as 6"x4".

You don't need Photoshop or any other editing software to check. Just find the icon for the file on your computer and do the following:

For Mac:
1. CTRL + click on the file (right click)
2. Select "Get Info" from the menu
3. Under "General" check the size of the file

For PC:
1. Point the cursor to the icon of the file and do the right click
2. Select "Properties" in the opened window
3. The "General" tab in the opened window shows the "Size" of the file in Kilobytes (KB) or Megabytes (MB).

If you click on the "Details" tab you'll see the file dimensions in pixels and the resolution it is formatted in.

In the illustration below:
Sample 1 - The file is formatted in the resolution 72dpi (72 pixels per square inch) that is the standard resolution for the web but too small for print. If we change the resolution to 300, we will need to make the size smaller for density of pixels to be correct, otherwise the stretched out pixels will make the picture fuzzy and pixelated.

Sample 2 - The photo is perfectly formatted to be printed as 5"x7". The resolution is sharp - 300dpi and the height and width of pixels is enough (see the matrix above).

Sample 3 - The file is setup in the low resolution of 72dpi but the the height and width of pixels are sufficient to re-format the file in 300 dpi and print it 8"x10" without losing in quality.

2011-01-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

13 Jan, 2011 - MomentVille.com, one of the worlds leading wedding websites, has just announced that PhotoHand has been selected for the 2011 Wedding Professional Hot List.

The annual Wedding Professional Hot List recognizes excellence within the wedding industry, as determined by reviews from tens of thousands of brides and grooms. PhotoHand was among the best reviewed vendors in their area in the past year.

"The Wedding Professional Hot List recognizes best of class wedding professionals." said Geoff Evason, MomentVille's CEO. "Highlighting the success of the top wedding professionals is an exciting way to spread the word and help newly engaged couples find the right professionals for their own weddings."

About PhotoHand
PhotoHand will retouch your wedding photos at the starting fee of $3.50/photo for complete cosmetic photo retouching. Also, on offer there are custom-designed save-the-date cards and wedding invitations and wedding photo books from your photo material. With professional photo editing and photography retouching, skillful cropping and art effects, your book becomes an outstanding memorable piece.

About MomentVille
MomentVille.com offers engaged couples and wedding enthusiasts a one stop place for planning and sharing a wedding. Offering personal wedding websites, wedding planning tools, a gorgeous gallery of wedding pictures, a searchable list of reviewed wedding vendors, and lots of helpful and inspiring wedding content, MomentVille helps newlyweds with all aspects of their wedding. For more information contact media@momentville.com

How-To – Rocking Your Facebook Profile

2011-01-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

This is a funny how-to video on taking better pictures of yourself if you want a cool Facebook profile. Our professional advice: taking pictures of yourself is always a bad idea unless you are using a timer. For better results, ask a friend to take pictures of you. You need an immediate feedback on your attempted cool posing.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Official Engagement Portraits With "Minimal" Retouching

2010-12-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

According to Associated Press, the official engagement photos of Prince William and Kate Middleton got retouched.

"William's office says the couple's two official portraits underwent "minimal" retouching before they were released. The palace said Tuesday that the couple's appearance was not altered, but adjustments made were to light balance and contrast because "the final portraits are works of art," like the painted portraits made of previous royal generations."

Still it looks like some flash glare should have been removed.

link to the AP report

Photo Retouching: Feel Beautiful Because You Are

2010-12-15T12:01:00.000-08:00

Looking good is not important, it’s everything! At least it must be to two thirds of women, as the Hewlett Packard survey showed, who are “deeply embarrassed” by many of their photos. The same research shows that if you are a man under 35, you are probably happy with every photo of yourself, including the ones that should appear embarrassing.

Why women hate their photos? Because we want our photos to present us the way we'd like to be and they usually don’t. We want our true self to be captured in a flattering light, from a favorable angle and preferably by a genius from Photography. This doesn't happen often and this is why we delete our photos before anyone had a chance to see them and plead with our friends to remove our photos from their Facebook galleries. Even those women who are majorly satisfied with their reflection in the mirror can and do develop photophobia.

Professional models are never happy with their photos till they have been edited. PhotoHand artists know this because we work with models.

Your photo might be far from perfect, but with the help of the photoshop retouching service, you can make any picture perfect and outstanding.

Suppose someone snapped a decent photo of you that you decided to use a your professional photo (a.k.a. "executive portrait") on your marketing materials. With a little help from Photoshop, your casual amateur photo will be turned into a "studio portrait".

Another lucky shot doctored with the glamorizing effects will give your image a touch of Hollywood turning it into a photo gift to your loved ones.

Boudoir photography is a growing trend. Brides are looking for something unique and sexy to give their husbands as a wedding gift. But ladies in their 30’s, 40’s and even 50’s are wanting boudoir photo shoots even more. When asked about their motivations, the general response is that they are still feeling young at heart and want to capture themselves in some beautiful sensual images.
Needless to say, boudoir photography always needs a hand from photo retouchers. We also recommend applying various art effect like soft focus, Rembrandt-like light and shade contrast, Hollywood affects, etc. Then your photo will be poetry. Plus, that the experience of having a make-over and photo session can give women a feeling of liberation and empowerment. Now beauty salons started hosting boudoir photo sessions for groups of women.

From 1991, when pregnant Demi Moore appeared nude on the cover of Vanity Fair, pregnancy stopped being something to be hidden, but something to be celebrated in all its glory. Maternity photos are always a challenge but with skillful retouching they become a celebrated memento in moving forward. We at PhotoHand are noticing a growing trend of sending our pregnancy announcement photo cards just like it is with baby arrival cards.

Wedding photos have been family treasures since the beginning of photography. They must be perfect, especially the bride's gala portrait shot before the wedding. All the tiny photo flaws must be fixed. But what if you don't even have that portrait. Well, it can be created in all its splendor.

A less than perfect photos shouldn't bring you down. First, not everybody is a model - it's natural to get uncomfortable in front of the camera. And that hair gets out of control because there is no stylist around to assist you. And the makeup artist is not on hand to fix the smudges. Remember, all these annoying flaws can be easily fixed after the image capture.

Photo Retouching: Going Mainstream

2010-12-15T11:59:00.000-08:00

Photo retouching, a.k.a. photo editing or airbrushing, is as old as photography itself. But only with the advent of the digital revolution that overturned a lot of concepts in the Photography industry since the beginning of this century, photo retouching became commonplace, extending to family photography - professionally taken as well as amateur shots.

Photo retouching services became affordable to any budget ($3.50/photo at PhotoHand.com) and easily accessible over the web. You can order it 24/7 just like you order books or clothes.

Just decide what you don't like about the photo, check the pricing schedule and go to the order form to upload your shots and type in your instructions. You will get your images back in the same resolution without any marks claiming the copyright over your photos.

Photo retouching ("photoshopping") does not mean altering the photos completely, rather it simply modifies the images and removes the flaws originating from technical and non-technical faults.

Besides the lighting that you normally don't have control of outside the studio, there are a lot of mishaps that can ruin the view: exit signs spoil the mood in the wedding pictures and so do slight wardrobe malfunctions like skin overflowing the edge of a sleeveless wedding dress (happens even to the skinniest brides), twisted tense smiles resulting from prolonged posing, electrified hairs crossing faces... There is no reason now to put up with these imperfections that spoil otherwise a perfect memento.

Of course, it takes skill, experience and artistic perspective to improve and sometimes rescue the photo without affecting the originality of the image. Luckily, now the magazine-quality photo editing services are available to every mom, newlywed, serial dater, actor, musician, aspiring model, pageant contestant, starting out fashion designer, beauty professional, life coach... everyone.

Bringing Glamour to the Masses - This Holiday Season & Always

2010-12-03T11:27:00.000-08:00

PhotoHand.com Puts a New Twist on the Holiday Greetings Tradition

2010-11-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

Tired of the same cookie-cutter greeting cards? Looking for new gift ideas? This holiday season check out the new generation of highly personalized greeting card design launched by PhotoHand! There are no two cards alike - PhotoHand takes your favorite photo and integrates it with a unique graphic design to create a montage. As an option, have your child's photo combined with the photo of her drawing as the background.

Orders can be placed online and this will cost you only $11.95 while you get a very special keepsake unlike the mundane prefabricated options offered by other companies. PhotoHand can also facilitate printing at a reasonable cost for you if you don't have a favorite printer.

PhotoHand photo card offering extends to personal events, like birthdays, bachelorette parties, bar mitzvahs, baby showers... You can order a creative collage of several photos at $5.95 per image. Such gifts are fun, original and as personable as they get.

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Modelocity Magazine Gives PhotoHand Thumbs Up

2010-11-07T16:14:00.000-08:00

Modelocity magazine that features upcoming modeling talent and provides practical advice to those who are making first steps in their modeling careers, gives thumbs up to PhotoHand.com as an invaluable resource for Madison-Avenue quality yet most affordable photo retouching and comp card design that will get you noticed.

In the modeling business where competition is brutal, Modelocity Magazine lets you get your feet wet by giving you your first exposure and providing you with how-to advice on your way to becoming the next America's top model.

When receiving portfolio submission for tearsheets, Modelocity editors started worrying that many images were in dire need of improvement - smudged makeup, flyaway hairs crossing your eyes, flash glare, dark undereye circles... any imperfections could be easily be removed. Of course, this should be done by professionals who will not make your face look flat and ensure that the traces of corrections do not pop up in printing.

Now, the common perception is that such retouching services are costly and out of reach for starting-out models. This is how Modelocity discovered PhotoHand.com that charges only $3.50 per photo for complete cosmetic retouching or $19.95 for comp card design plus retouching of all photos included in the card. A tastefully designed comp card makes the photos look more glamorous adding to the professional image of the model; and comp cards designed by PhotoHand do make you stand out.

Says Modelocity: "Thank goodness no more confusing per work hour estimates. Some places confuse you with terminology that does not make sense to the normal human ear... We like that PhotoHand has worked with models at the beginning of their careers and knows exactly what they need and have no problem wiping the question marks off the faces of those just starting out in the industry."

Related Posts: Comp Cards – How To and What Works

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Digital Photography for Moms and Aunties: How To Avoid Blurry Pictures

2010-08-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

Modern digital cameras equipped with automatic settings make it easy to take beautiful pictures of your family. Still there are some tips to remember to avoid pretty common photo defects that can not be fixed with photo retouching. We'll cover them one by one and give you very simple practical tips to avoid these mishaps.

Our first topic is picture blurriness. We, at PhotoHand, quite often get request to sharpen blurry photos. This can be done only to some extent before the image turns pixelated. So how to avoid blurriness?

First of all, use a real camera, not a phone camera. Even if your phone camera takes multi-megapixel shots, there are a lot of other technical parameters that are missing from it to deliver a quality image.
The second common problem is "shaky shots". A digital camera is very light and there is a big probability that it could be easily shaken or swayed when you take a shot.

We suggest you always hold the camera with both hands.

When taking a shot, assume a steady and stable position to avoid any shaking or wobbling of your camera that will result in blurring in your pictures. If you are standing, make sure that you are on level ground and that your feet are shoulder width apart. If possible, lean against a wall or a tree.
If possible, do not hold your camera at arm’s length as this could cause swaying of your camera. Keep your elbows close to your sides.

When kneeling, rest your elbow(s) on your knee for support.

If you have a DSLR camera, your left hand must be placed around the lens and the bottom edge to support the edge of the camera.

If you are still getting shaky pictures, it is normally recommended to use a tripod or a monopod (a one-legged tripod). We don't see these as a practical solution for a moms. But there is an easy-to-carry lightweight (4.8 oz) alternative to tripods and monopods - SteadePod. It resembles a stainless-steel tape measure - you attach one end to your camera, pull the retractable 6' steel cable down to the ground, hold it with your foot, and the slight tension on the cable gives you a steady camera position. This device costs $24.99 at B&H and can be ordered online.

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2010-07-29T09:26:00.001-07:00

As of this week, the British royal family have established their online presence on Flickr – www.flickr.com/photos/britishmonarchy. This is after opening YouTube and Twitter accounts. Can’t wait to befriend some royals on Facebook.

The album will allow Flickr users to use the photographs in blogs and other media, the Daily Mail reported.

Comp Cards – How To and What Works

2010-06-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

As PhotoHand gets more and more orders for comp card design we also receive more requests to help in picking the photos for our model clients. We hope this post will be useful in this task.

General
A model comp card has a front side with a full size portrait and a back side with a selection of representative shots from the portfolio — and the model's basic stats (see below) and contact information — printed on both sides of an 8.5" x 5.5" piece of card stock (12 pt stock) (US) or 15×21 cm (Europe, Asia).

Think of your comp card as your marketing tool. This will determine how you want to pose for it and which photos to choose. The casting manager will hardly look for Miss Congeniality with a big teethy smile. Neither is important how pretty you are. What is important is HOW GOOD YOU ARE AT MODELING.

Number of Photos
You need one good headshot for the front side and 4-5 photos for the back of the comp card.

Photo Size
Photo should be at least one Megabyte (=one Megapixel) in size for quality printing, especially the headshot for the front of the comp card.

Posing
Before the photoshoot, pick a dozen of poses you think you can imitate from fashion magazines and practice them in front of a mirror until they feel natural. Strike poses that show elegance and power.

Facial Expression
Some very good photos of you are only good for the family photo book. Nice smiley pictures won’t get you very far. You will not get booked because you are a nice person. Look at the glossies, the models there are all pouting or spot a faint smile. No big teeth smiles.

Make sure your face is not tense. During the photoshoot, close your eyes, think of something and then open your eyes. This usually does the trick.

Front Photo
For the front of the comp card, select your best ¾ portrait shot.

Back Photos
You’ll need 4-5 photos for the back of the comp card. Make sure that at least one photo shows you in full height.

Versatility
The photos at the back should show the different sides of you: glamorous, bohemian, sporty, sexy, grungy, country, business… whatever style you can master. This was you will present your true potential to get you bookings.

Model Stats

For Men	For Women
Height	Height
Shirt	Bust
Waist	Waist
Shoes	Hips
Hair Color	Shoes
Eye Color	Hair Color
	Eye Color

Comp Card Design
Your comp card needs to have a pleasing, not to mention professional, look to attract the attention of the casting manager. This is like packaging for a product. Even if you are not so happy with the results of your photoshoot, your photos will shine when cropped for the maximum effect, or tilted, and nicely arranged in an elegant format.

Take it from the professionals. This comp card that we retouched and designed some time ago, was used in a television program in Canada as a sample of how to design comp cards that get you jobs.

We hope you find these tips helpful. Good luck!

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Consumer Guide to Photo Book Printing & Binding

2009-10-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

Not all photo books are created equal. When consumers come to PhotoHand to order a wedding or family book, our first question is what kind of printing and binding they prefer.

Based on the type of paper and binding used in the production, photo books can be of three kinds: Flush Mount Albums, Coffee Table Books, and Lay-Flat Photo Books.

Options available for all the types:
- custom photo book design or templated design
- custom photo cover or fabric/leather/vinyl cover with a monogram or without
- UV coating

Flush Mount Album
Flush mount albums have thick, unbending pages with printed photos dry-mounted on cardboard. The covers are mostly made of leather, leatherette fabric, or vinyl.
ADVANTAGES: The book opens flat allowing to see the seamless continues design through the page spread.
DISADVANTAGES: The pages are thick as cardboard which makes the book too heavy and difficult to flip through. Also, the most expensive kind of the three.

Coffee Table Book
If printed at a good printing company, the book looks like an art book sold at Barnes and Noble. Coffee Table Books have been successfully replacing Flush Mount Albums in the wedding album, family, maternity and baby book market. The photo paper pages can be reinforced with UV coating that will make them as thick as business cards.
ADVANTAGES: The book definitely looks more contemporary and elegant. Price-wise, the most affordable of the three options.
DISADVANTAGES: Frequent handling can eventually weaken the binding or cause paper cracking leading to tear at the binding.

WARNING! If you opt for a coffee table book, you might decide to use one the online services that lets you drop photos into templates and send the book into print at a click of a button. This is a cheap solution that probably serves some purposes depending on your expectations. We wouldn't recommend this for a family memories book. The samples that we received from cheap printers invariably had some deffects: front and back covers differed in size, the paper was yellowish (probably recycled) which made the photos look dull, and the stitching was sticking out luck a sore thumb when you opened the book. Top-quality printers only work with photographers and designers and avoid taking orders directly from consumers because there are a lot of technicalities involves.

Lay-Flat Photo Book
A relatively new "hinged paper" technology introduced in January 2008. An integrated flexible hinge, allows the book to open flat like a Flush Mount Album though the book still has flexible photo paper pages making the book manageable. The photo paper pages can be reinforced with UV coating that will make them as thick as business cards.
ADVANTAGES: The most durable binding make the book resistant frequent handling. Through slightly more expensive than an average professionally made coffee table book, a lay flat book is still very affordable.
DISADVANTAGES: Compared to Flush Mount Albums, the design spread has a visible separation line at the binding, though with skillful design that keeps this fact in mind, the separation between the pages will not ruin the visual perception of the collage.

As you can see there pluses and minuses in each option, but Whatever type of printing and binding you pick, PhotoHand will create designs to match the requirements of of your chosen technology.

Glamor with a Disclaimer

2009-10-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

To fight self-esteem problems experienced by girls and women who feel pressure to fit the standards set up by advertisers, British and French lawmakers are pushing for laws that force the Advertising industry to disclose when retouching is used on models. According to the proposals, all ads where retouched images of models have been used should carry a disclaimer stating that changes have been made.

You would think that in our day and age, everyone knows that ad images are artistic interpretations. They are decorative. Let's be honest, you wouldn't want Calvin Klein ads to feature "guys from work".

I personally think "feel-good" movies are more damaging for the psyche of young women. And, if we continue along the disclaimer path, they should run a marquee warning during romantic comedies and Cinderella-plot movies saying this is just wishful thinking and no one should fall for this delusion.

As for photo retouching, it has become a natural part of the process of developing an image for publication. It puts fixes where the photography failed. You always do the bare minimum checklist:

- Improve lighting
- Adjust colors
- Remove flyaway hairs
- Remove glare
- Remove shadows from faces
- Even out skin tone
- Cover up temporary skin imperfections
- Correct smudged make-up
- Fix clothes

These are the basics of photography post-production that have nothing to do with manipulation of the public conscience.

And if you still consider this an illusion than the illusion starts from the production stage. There is a crew of workers besides the photographer at any proper fashion or celebrity shoot. If you have ever watched America's Next Top Model then you should know how a good make-up artist, stylist, and lighting specialists can improve the outcome and make the photo look glamorous, the way you (let's face it) like it.

PhotoHand.com Catches Growing Attention of Professionals and Small Businesses

2009-09-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Fast and affordable online service for image editing and photo design - PhotoHand.com is quickly turning into one of the most valuable online resources for small/SOHO business, entrepreneurs and professionals looking to boost their images.

Traditionally limited by modest marketing budgets and now influenced by the current recession, professionals and small businesses are reconciled with the fact that their promotional images can’t rival those of corporations. PhotoHand.com is changing this perception by bringing Madison-Avenue quality image editing and photo design to Main Street folks.

The strictly online mode of operation might not fit the processes of large companies but it is perfect for Actors, Models, Consultants, Dentists, Indie Designers, Small Manufacturers, Beauty Professionals, Tattoo Artists, E-shop Owners... the list goes on.

Just upload your photos through PhotoHand.com website, supply your directions in plain language (what you want or what you don't like in the photos) and in three business days you have the images that will make you or your business stand out - all without breaking the bank.

PhotoHand's fees start at $3.50 per photo for complete cosmetic retouching. For $11.95 your product photo will be altered into an ad worthy of glossy magazines. Online proofing and changes are free.

Unlike many photographers, PhotoHand works under the "work-for-hire" clause and thus does not claim copyright over retouched photos or photo designs. This means PhotoHand's clients have the full ownership of their images and can take them to any printing company of choice.

PhotoHand.com works with amateur photos as well as with professionally shot images. The company realizes that many business owners or professionals take one shot at a time when they are ready with a new sample and paying $75-150 an hour for one-two photos is excessive. Most of them have long figured out how to use powerful digital cameras and how to set up the lights for a shoot.

Naturally, such DIY photos need some editing help but so do professional shots, as PhotoHand can attest. With a little bit of post-production TLC, PhotoHand makes such photos shine.

After all, it's 60% how you look, 35% what you sound like, and 5% what you say.

2009-07-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

PhotoHand.com acted as a co-sponsor of the charity event on June 30, 2009 organized by the company’s client – international fashion designer Sara Romoli – to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Metro New York. The event featured an exquisite fashion show of Sara Romoli’s latest collection, followed by an unforgettable performance of Amy Rivard of the Riverdance and Celtic Woman fame and culminated in a vintage jewelry auction starring some pieces of the Belle Époque period.

The team of PhotoHand.com was glad to contribute to the success of the event that drew significant attendance from the New York City business and creative community, as well as members of the media and raised contributions to benefit one of the world’s most well-known charities that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Shooting for the Wedding Book

2009-05-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

The wedding season hits in June and we at PhotoHand expect a rise in custom photo books design orders. Most of our clients have been in the wedding photography business for a while but there are a lot of talented young beginners who have been asking us to give them some tips on how to be prepared so that they are in the right place at the right moment and shoot enough material for a lively photo story.

We looked at the weddings albums that we have created so far and came up with this cheat sheet. A bride can also use this list when giving directions to her photographer.

A wedding is a celebration of a tradition and traditions by their nature adhere to certain scripts. Below are the points general to any wedding but if the wedding is to include some ethnic traditions or special family customs, that photographer must be notified of all such details beforehand so that he or she is able to capture every key moment.

Behind the Scene
The dress on a hanger
close-ups of any remarkable details on the dress
Accessories: flowers, shoes, jewelry, the rings
The bride getting ready (makeup, hair, jewelry, dress,shoes)
Family and bridesmaids assisting the bride
Others getting ready
Portrait of the bride
The groom getting ready (adjusting the ties tie or cuff links)
Portrait of the groom
Waiting for the Ceremony
The wide-angle view of the location
The groom waiting for the bride
The groom, the best man and the officiator
The ring bearer and flower girl
General view of the seated guests
Arrival of the bride

The Ceremony
The best man and maid of honor coming down the aisle
Each groomsman and bridesmaid coming down the aisle
The bride coming down the aisle
Wide-angle view of the ceremony
The vow and ring exchange
Signing of the marriage license
The kiss
The bride and groom coming down the aisle
Any special musician, singer, speaker, etc.

Formal Photos
Hands with the wedding bands
Formal group photos
Romantic bride and groom photos

The Reception
Details: centerpieces, the cake, decor
The wedding party entering the reception
Toasts
Cutting of the cake
The first dance
Dances with parents
Bouquet toss
Garter removal
Guests at each table
Dancing guests

Final Scene
The newlyweds waiving or walking away
Departing Limo

That's it! Have a great shoot!

Primp Up Your Indie Image On a Budget

2009-05-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

Indie is trendy. If you hear this for the first time, you've been out of touch for quite a while and should hurry to Etsy.com to catch up. Whether it's shoes, clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, bags, gift items, perfume... indie companies are guaranteed to provide innovative offbeat products that will spice up your image.

Innovation is the key to indie success as small companies are faster on their feet than large brands. They also tend to be greener, organic and more conscious of waste.

PhotoHand is a strong supporter of indies and we have a lot of them among our clients. Indies do not have the promotion budgets of big brands but they must have the big brand image quality to sell.

Indie companies on a budget (and most of them are) do not have the resources to hire professional photographers at $100-150/hr to shoot their new products, especially as they introduce one-two new products at a time. Instead they buy professional or semi-professional photo cameras that are becoming cheaper and more powerful and take promotional photos at their make-shift corner studios.

This is a prudent approaching taking into account that even professionally shot photos still need to be photoshopped to bring out the best in the image.

PhotoHand has been assisting indie companies with this task for quite a while and we keep getting the same question from our clients: How to set up the photo shoot for the best results.

We did some research, consulted several photographers and came up with the basic set of rules that will set you on the right track.

How to set up lighting for a home photo shoot?

Lighting is of paramount importance in photography. Photographing with natural light will deliver natural colors but only if you shoot on an overcast day that is still bright. You can wait for such a day or imitate these conditions by using easily available elements:

1) A spotlight lamp with a white light bulb. A yellow light bulb will tint the original color of the product;
2) Frosted paper that will be used as a screen to diffuse the light shining on the product and this way prevent the "hot spots" in the photo;
3) A flowing background, preferably stiff paper that won't crinkle;
4) A sheet of white paper to reflect the diffused light from the spotlight lamp and partially illuminate the other side or the front of the product. This is necessary to avoid sharp light/shade contrast (unless you want it for some artistic effect).

The following diagram shows how to arrange these items for the photoshoot setup at home.

How to set your camera for the product photo shoot?
Turn off the Flash. Flash glare on objects is very hard to photo retouch because it means loss of digital information. A photo retoucher would have to fill up the blanks by using his/her imagination.

Set your camera to MACRO for the close-up view.

That's it. Happy shooting! And remember, PhotoHand is always there for you to glam up your image.

I Can Get No Photo Satisfaction:-)

2009-05-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

Hoping this never happens to you…

Citizen Paparazzi Cash in on the Celebrity Craze

2009-04-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Crowdsourcing is cutting into the paparazzi business. Some time ago we reported on how amateur photographers can sell their photos online and now another kind of photographers gets upstaged by amateurs.

In recent years, more tabloid magazines have begun accepting picture submissions from non-professionals which lead to a growing number of citizen paparazzi agencies that act as intermediaries. Here are some of them: peoplepaparazzi.com, Cash4yourpics.com, Scoopt.com, Spymedia.com, and Thesnitcherdesk.com. Gawker.com incorporates more amateur photo submissions as a way of enhancing its popular “Gawker Stalker Map,” which maps out celebrity sightings around the city each day.

A lucky shot can make you rich. The snapshot of Britney Spears Las Vegas nuptials that ended in annulment was sold for $150,000 by a couple who also got married there that night. But keep in mind that if you act like a papparazzo, you are at risk of being treated like one by body guards.

Photography Against Dogfighting

2009-04-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

The Humane Society of the United States’ End Dogfighting in Chicago campaign sponsored a photography project in which members of the campaign’s Pit Bull Training Team were given disposable cameras and asked to document a day in the life of their pit bull. The result was “Pit·ography,” a 33-photo exhibition showcasing the beauty of the urban pit bull that took place at Chicago’s Carroll Center. (Some of the photos are here.) And the dogs and their owners were serenaded with violins.

Anthony Pickett, a member of the PBTT and Pitography photographer, says his favorite photo in his collection is the one of his two-year old pit bull, “Nino,” on his back: “I like it because it shows how loving and gentle he is.”

This event is part of the community outreach component of The Humane Society of the United States’ End Dogfighting in Chicago campaign. The program strikes at the core of urban dogfighting by using proven preventative methods such as youth anti-violence intervention, dog training classes, humane education, community outreach and law enforcement partnerships.

“The beauty of ‘Pit·ography’ is that it portrays pit bulls in a new light,” said Sandy DeLisle, End Dogfighting in Chicago campaign coordinator. “In this season of rebirth and renewal, this project shows us the pit bull is not a fighter, but a loving companion.”

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at humanesociety.org.

I Saw the Future of Contemporary Photography

2009-03-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, I did and it looked great. That was last spring. And this year a bunch of us from the PhotoHand team - those residing in New York - will see it too.

We'll be hanging out at the New York Photo Festival to see what's new in the Art of Photography for inspiration and to pick up a few tricks that we could use for art effects in our photo design work. If you like Photography and if you are in the NYC area, I would recommend you to see the exhibits. If you are a Photographer, I would attend the seminars too. Below is the official announcement describing the event.

You can get more info by clicking on the event title. The event calendar hasn't been published of this date.

THE NEW YORK PHOTO FESTIVAL - 2nd Edition, May 13-17, 2009
Event Calendar >>
Following up on its successful debut in May 2008, the New York Photo Festival is pleased to announce the exhibition dates for 2009 and its Festival Curators. The inaugural event in May 2008 was a surprise hit, and it delivered on the promise of presenting the “future of contemporary photography” through the efforts of world-class curators and the selected artists.

The NYPH’08 Festival Curators—Kathy Ryan, Martin Parr, Lesley A. Martin, and Tim Barber—created four stunning exhibitions focusing on the ubiquity of images in digital and daily life, sculptural tendencies in contemporary photography, ground-breaking paths in formal photographic documentation and representation, and a formal yet whimsical approach to the democratic presentation of artistic representation. The New York Photo Festival’s debut run in 2008 answered critics’ lament that the world’s capital of photography could never compile a festival of its own. It also affirmatively resolved the quandary of whether contemporary photography could ever stand on its own, apart and distinct from its historical antecedents of greatest hits and exotic depiction.

A New Source of Imagery - Every Man and Woman

2009-03-12T18:24:00.000-07:00

In 1953, the Time magazine reported amateur photographers were taking estimated 2 billion pictures a year. In our Digital Lifestyle age, when there is no cost of film and development associated with clicks, one enthusiast might account for this number.

Photography today is the national pastime. People seem to be carrying cameras at all times in hopes of one day being at the right place at the right moment. Well, they might get lucky. After all, some amateur pictures made history like the shots of the sinking of the Vestris in 1928, the explosion of the Hindenburg in 1937, or the Hotel Winecoff fire in 1946.

Can amateur photos compare in artistry and technical quality to the professional photos? Artistic quality is largely in the eye of the beholder and even Robert Capa himself once observed: "Most of the people in this country take pictures, and most of them take better ones than I do." And now most amateurs are walking around heavily armed with semi-professional and professional cameras that become more and more affordable with every year. Professional-grade cameras now cost less than $1,000

The borderline between professional and amateur photographers is beginning to blur.

Back in 1953, selling your lucky shots means a lot of legwork. These days, all you have to do is open an account at one of the photography microstock websites that serve as marketplaces for images, and you can proudly claim yourself a professional once you have sold.

One of such sites iStockphoto’s clients now include bulk photo purchasers like IBM and United Way, as well as the small design firms that used to buy from expensive agencies like Corbis and Getty.

As a matter of fact, Getty Images - one of the world's largest stock and editorial photo vendors has made a deal with Flickr to add a hand-picked set of Flickr users' photos to its catalog. The deal will almost certainly cut further into the market for professional stock photography.

You won't make too much cash selling your photos though. Thanks to the collective effort of millions of you, stock photos are no longer scarce and the going rate for royalty-free photos is $1. But who knows, you might produce a photo that will be hugely in demand.

So, click away for extra cash or maybe fame!

Here is the list of some of the microstock websites to consider with an overview in their own words:

ShutterStock is the largest subscription-based stock photo agency in the world.
Dreamstime is a distinguished leader in stock photography and a major supplier of high quality digital images at unbelievable prices.
BigStockPhoto provides designers with an alternative to high-priced stock photography, in addition to providing photographers with a marketplace to sell their work.
123 Royalty Free is your one-stop royalty-free photo library offering stunning, practical stock photos at the most affordable price!
Crestock - stock photo & image bank that has the stock photography industry's highest standard in royalty free stock photos & images.
iStockPhoto is the Internet's original member-generated image and design community. We offer millions of royalty-free stock images for as little as $1 each.
YAY Micro claims to be the best creative and editorial microstock agency in terms of quality, turn-over, reputation and satisfaction. Our vision is to be the leading digital content provider.
CanStockPhoto is one of the world's largest microstock photography agencies.
FeaturePics is an Internet tool for the realization of the free market; where an Artist is responsible for a product and supervises its price, and a Buyer completes this market by buying the Art.
Fotolia offers the largest image bank of free and affordable royalty free photos and illustrations perfect for any medium, web or print.
Cutcaster is a dynamic, licensing exchange where members buy, sell and request the rights to use digital photos, vector illustrations and images.
PantherMedia is an online marketplace for royalty-free photography. Buyers and sellers of royalty-free images meet on one common platform.
Zymmetrical - the site's moto is 'Digital Art to Go!', but they let our Artists determine the prices of their files - you may find some files to be cheaper than you'd expect, some may seem expensive; however you can always be sure the quality is top-notch.
Fotomind is a royalty-free stock photography agency delivering high quality photos under affordable prices.
Albumo is the Royalty Free Photo Stock - where everyone can sell or buy desired images.
ImageCatalog is a Royalty-Free stock photography web site with the goal of providing exceptionally high quality images at micro prices.
ThePhotoStorage - a royalty-free stock photography website where anyone can purchase photos or vector illustrations for less than $1.00
MostPhotos is a democratic marketplace for stock photos and images.

Perfect Memories of a Perfect Day

2009-02-13T11:32:00.000-08:00

The Wedding Day! You spend months and thousands of dollars planning it: choosing the perfect theme and colors, the perfect wedding dress and shoes, the perfect venue, the perfect menu... the list goes on, not mentioning the pre-selected perfect groom who must at least look perfect for the day. His best men are the lost cause and you just hope for the best.

With all the gargantuan efforts that you put into this production that will fly by like one moment, what do you still have years after? I mean besides your husband?

You have your great memories of that perfect day and your photos. Especially today, when wedding photography has gone journalistic style and you can relive that perfect day in all its excitement. That, of course, if the photos turn out well.

This rarely happens and you can’t always blame your wedding photographer because things like unfavorable angle shots, smudged makeup, bunched up clothing, squinting eyes, ominous shadows, glare on eyeglasses can and do occur.

The truth is that all photos need some correction. And luckily these days photo retouching is quite affordable. For example, PhotoHand offers such services at $3.50 for complete cosmetic retouching that includes fixing your hair and makeup, removing the appearance of any skin imperfections or double chins, or swipe the perspiration from the groom’s forehead. For a little bit extra we’ll slim you down, adjust your wedding dress or “open” squinting eyes. At $11.95, we’ll remove any annoying objects or your sister’s ex-boyfriend from the picture.

We’ll keep your memories of that day perfect. After all, this is how you remember it.

'Tis the Headshot Season

2009-01-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

An actor needs at least two headshot photos - one for commercials and one for for film and theater. The commercial image has to be very natural and relatable. When we retouch such images we make sure they have the "everyday look". Such images will get you a part in a commercial but will not help you stand out when considered for a role in a movie. To make your image really pop, we apply cinematic effects to infuse a dose of magnetism in them. (The fee for both types of retouching stays the same - $3.50 per shot.)

When applying for a role you submit the headshot that is appropriate for the situation, but your contact information should include your web page that gives the full impression of your range. Online casting is still in its infant stages, and casting agents will hardly search the web to find you today. But the web address on your submitted headshot will lead them to your extended virtual resume showing them the full range of your talent through dozens of headshots and still shots from film and theater shows. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and then you can post your video clips...

Setting up your website is easy. There are online services for that as easy to use as an email application. Take MyActingSite.com (http://www.myactingsite.com). They let you use your own web address like YourName.com. You can post as many photos as you want and they will be well presented to a casting person in a thumbnail and enlarged clickable gallery view. We usually recommend this service to our clients and actor friends because it gives a good presentation of our retouching work and includes the mass emailing application that lets actors invite all the friends and fans to their shows at once. And we do like being invited :-)

First I was Myself… Then I Was an Image of Myself…

2009-01-27T16:54:00.000-08:00

Our recorded images are playing an increasing role in our lives. Virtual Memory and the Random Generator, a documentary created by Artifact Pictures explores this subject. Here is the synopsis of this intriguing film that you can view in parts on YouTube.

As we approach the end of analog television in 2009, and enter a new era in the evolution of digital media, our experience of images and information becomes increasingly intangible. One part history and one part poetry, Virtual Memory is a meditation on the essence of mechanical image-making and its impact on human consciousness, from the physical process of photography and film, to the alternate universe created by computers and virtual reality. Using a compilation of found material, the film bids a kind of fond farewell to the 20th century.

Holiday Special From PhotoHand

2008-11-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

Capturing The Holiday Spirit

2008-11-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

By Heather Joy Roth

The holidays that bring traditional family get-together are quickly approaching, offering us photographers – professional and otherwise - the opportunity to capture life-long memories of the colorful scenery and loved ones. Here are some tips that can help you take eye-catching portraits of the holiday season.

Take A Family Portrait

It is rare in this busy world for families to make the time to get together. Take advantage of this opportunity by taking a family portrait. It will be a cherished keepsake for everyone.

Capture Children’s Artwork On Camera

With school back in full swing, now is the time to take pictures of your children’s art projects. It is unlikely that you will be able to collect all their artwork for your child to see when they get older, so taking a snapshot — or better yet, having your child photograph their own artwork is not only a great way to remember childhood, but a creative way to get your budding photographer to enjoy the new hobby.

Capture Memories From A Different Point Of View

When photographing symbols of the holidays or loved ones, look for new, interesting ways of capturing them. You can photograph a carved pumpkin off-center or move in for an up close shot, leaving out distracting extras. Get level with the subject you are shooting.

Holidays mean children, and children are at a height level lower than what we usually photograph at. Get down on their level. This will give you the best picture angles you can achieve.

Spontaneous Photography

When it comes to the holidays, the time I most enjoy taking photos is when a family member or friend opens their gift. My motto is to shoot the portrait first, and ask questions later. Don’t waste time lining up a perfect shot, snap the photo and capture their face when they open their presents. Parents easily make the mistake of distracting their children by yelling at them to look at the camera.

This is a huge mistake, as children will either shy away from being photographed or pose wildly at the camera. If the children are not looking directly at the camera, not only will you not blind them with your flash, but you will be able to capture spontaneous moments rather than stiff poses.

These moments only lasts a split-second so if you can manage to shoot the subject in that moment of surprise, you’ll have a memory to last forever. Try getting restless children involved by having them take pictures of each other. This works especially well with digital cameras. You will be surprised at what they come up with. Kids literally have a different perspective on the world and their images may surprise you.

Broaden What Type Of Holiday Picture You Take

Try capturing not only “classic” symbols of the holidays, but abstract points of interest. For example, you could photograph a tree covered in snow and this can convey the feeling of the season even more than a photograph of the Christmas tree itself. Look for pumpkin patches, snowmen, even leaves on the sidewalk for inspiring, innovative photo opportunities.

Create Your Own Holiday Greeting Card

Greeting cards that you buy in the store are cheerful, but nothing says “Happy Holidays” more than a personalized greeting card you snapped yourself. Get creative, whether you take a portrait of yourself, your pets, family or even a landscape shot. I prefer receiving these cards versus commercial greeting cards. It shows that thought and consideration went into the card and always brings a smile to my face. These are the cards I keep.

Take A Lot Of Photos

Any professional photographer will tell you that to get a few amazing shots, they had to snap hundreds of photos. Do not be stingy with what you shoot. Try taking pictures of anything that catches your eye. A simple, spontaneous close-up snapshot of some Christmas lights can be more eye-catching than a well planned shot of the whole tree lit up.

Remember, the holidays are a time for family, friends and memories.

Capture the holiday spirit by taking spontaneous shots, not by ordering your subject to pose this way or that way. These photographs allow the happiness of the season to radiate throughout your photography.

Defining Your Image Size for Quality Printing

2008-11-21T09:28:00.000-08:00

This is the question that we, at PhotoHand, get every day – why can’t you blow up my photo into a poster after you have retouched it. The answer is that the size of the photo is too small. To print a small poster – the size of a standard sheet of paper, your photo has to be at least 5 Megapixels in photo terms, which equals 5 Megabytes in computer terms.

A photo image is described by two parameters: “Image Size” and “Image Quality”. The image SIZE is defined by the total number of pixels - a collection of small dots. The number of pixels per square inch defines the QUALITY of the image.

If the number of pixels (the size) of the image can’t be changed after the image has been captured, the image quality is defined AFTER you have taken the photo. Image quality or resolution will be defined when you decide how many pixels (dots) should be per square inch of your photo.

More pixels/dots per square inch mean higher resolution and subsequently higher quality of print. 72 dpi (dots per inch) are perfect for the web but not for printing. Quality printing requires 300 dpi.

So, the more pixels you capture from the start, the bigger photo you will be able to print after these pixels have been squeezed into square inches by 300 in each.

Here is a sample of calculations:

Suppose you want a print sized 4 by 6 inches in photo quality.
(4in x 300dpi) x (6in x 300dpi) = 1,200 pixels x 1,800 pixels
This equals 2,160,000 pixels (roughly 2.2 Megapixels) in total which is approximately 2.2 Megabytes.

To make it easier, we put together this cheat sheet for you.

We hope we were able to help, but if you still have questions please contact us through our website www.PhotoHand.com.

Undeniably Indefinable

2008-11-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

By Heather Joy Roth

Spontaneous moments and candid photography is a growing trend among couples getting married. Look through some recent wedding albums and you might see pictures of brides, half-dressed, getting dolled up for the big day or the littered reception floor. The trend in television and print media is reality. You see celebrities exposing much more of their everyday lives than ever before, letting us peek into their homes and special occasions. Brides try emulating casual images of celebrity couples on their big day, and fashionable magazines such as In Style. The posed, “say cheese” portraits your mother had are being replaced by warm, artsy shots.

Documentary Wedding Photography is a take-off on Photo Journalistic style. Photographers capture candid moments, such as the mans face when he sees his blushing bride walk down the aisle. Formal photography for the new generation of brides just won’t do. This allows the photographer to express his or her own sensibilities and expression through his work, greater artistic freedom. Not unlike traditional wedding photography, the cost of the documentary approach varies, with prices from $5,000 to over $15,000 for a celeb-favorite photographer.

Many photographers are opting to meet the couple beforehand and get a “feel” for their personalities. This visit can be extremely useful, guiding the photographer on how to take shots the couple would like to see. All the things learned about the couple will guide the photographer in creating a storyline to go with his or her photos.

Although this is the current trend in wedding photography, traditional photos are not “out of the picture” yet. The couple almost always wants a photo that can sit for years on a counter-top or mantle. But, this portrait does not have to be awkward or contrived. Also, many couples opt to have both a journalistic style and more traditional style of photography for their special memories. This may be the best idea yet, because you get the best of both worlds. Couples have often had only candid, photo journalistic photos taken and realize there are no pictures of their parents or siblings, which can be upsetting.

Many photographers are capturing moments of frustration, such as a bride fighting to zip up her wedding gown. These humorous shots lighten the serious tone of the day and always brings a smile to the couples face, once the tension-filled and sometimes severe mood of the day passes. Emotions are at an all-time high during a bride’s big day, so it is essential for the photographer to know when and how to shoot a photo.

You may want candid shots of the bride and groom preparing for the ceremony, but the bride may not want to be photographed without make-up. If you know how to gracefully shoot one of the most important days in the couple’s lives, capturing beautiful, genuine photos can be easy. Many awkward moments can happen during a wedding, especially at the reception, where intoxicated women in strapless gowns can reveal more than they would like too. Tactfully choosing to not photograph these indecent moments is the best route a photographer can make. These are moments that the couple would like to forget, not remember.

Many brides will walk around in their undergarments without shame, but may not want this image displayed in their album for everyone to see. It really depends on the comfort level among the couple. A temper tantrum the bride has over a mishap during the day should also not be photographed. The bride most likely has been dreaming of this moment since childhood, and her expectations are usually set high. Therefore, a mere mishap could set her off into distress. A respectful, professional photographer will sense when shot could be interpreted as humorous versus embarrassing. A special moment is something that has a feeling to it. Real, visual proof that the bride and groom are to live happily ever after, and these shots are sought after by not only the couple, but the photographer as well. A moment like this is not posed or unnatural. It is the couple glancing into each others eyes after saying “I Do”, it is the first dance as Mr. & Mrs. and it is undeniably indefinable.

For samples of photo books, please visit -- http://www.PhotoHand.com

Naturally Photogenic

2008-09-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

By Heather Joy Roth

7 in 10 women and 3 in 10 men avoid having their picture taken according to the research published by Samsung Cameras in June, 2008. It seems everyone is afraid of how they look in photographs. Some people seem to be born with the gift of being photogenic, but all it takes are some simple tricks of the trade. Anybody can hide flaws, appear slimmer and look naturally radiant when they learn to work with the camera. Try out these tips to look your best in photos -

To Hide A Double Chin

Position yourself so that the camera is a little above your eye level.
This will hide a double chin effectively. You can also rest your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Tilting the head slightly back also makes a nose appear slimmer while reducing double chins. Practice different poses in the mirror until you feel comfortable and confident.

Don't Say "Cheese"

Many people end up looking awkward because they freeze into expressions with "say cheese". Take a breath in and relax. Don't hold your breath, as you will look tense. Photographs that capture people in natural, relaxed and spontaneous poses are far more visually impacting than a frozen smile.

Happy Thoughts

When posing for a photograph, think of a funny moment that will make you laugh or smile. A forced smile looks unrealistic, and a big grin that is posed runs the risk of looking fake.

For Women

If you know you will be photographed, wear colors that complement your hair color and skin tone. Blondes should wear lavender and soft blue, Brunettes shine in camel, gold and dark brown and Redheads look good in peach, golden yellow and golden brown. Do not wear heavy makeup, just enhance natural beauty and make sure to powder the T-Zone (the top of the nose and forehead) as oiliness will show up in pictures.

Posing Techniques

Look slightly above the camera when the picture is taken. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis always applied this technique for photographs. It helps reduce the "red eye" effect.

For a full-length shot, position your body 45 degrees from the camera, then turn your head towards the camera. Stand with one foot crossed in front of the other and put weight on your back leg. This pose is very slimming . Paris Hilton and many top celebrities pose like this to look super slim. Stand up straight. Having a good posture will visually shed ten pounds off your body. Ladies, Stand with your hand on hip, twisting your torso towards the camera lens, this accentuates a slim waist.

Go Digital = Go Green!

2008-08-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Green mentality is taking over, at least at the personal level. Everyone I know favors products packaged in recyclable materials, buys energy-saving electric bulbs and rechargeable batteries, tells ConEdison to switch them to an alternative energy supplier, etc.

I am proud to say that I created paperless work environment for myself five years ago. It took some effort to get into the habit of charting down those notes-to-self on the computer screen instead of paper and saving digital copies of magazine articles, but it was totally worth it: I can always find them. My aspiration was an efficient work environment but, as a side effect, I reduced my carbon footprint too.

This is a logical chain: by being more efficient, you waste less and become greener. Technology makes us more efficient, so technology can make us less wasteful, especially digital technology.

I realize that by saying this I make a lot of enemies among the defenders of analog photography, and you would think that quite familiar with digital post production.

Digital is more efficient, it’s a fact. You can shoot thousands of pictures with no additional expense and then weed out the bad ones, view them on your computer screen in full format without printing and have them retouched right away by yourself or through online service like PhotoHand’s service;-) No emulsion or chemistry, no scanners, enlargers, timers and darkroom supplies, no transporting. You are not only saving your time – you are saving the environment.

Online proofing is another way to save on time, expenses and environmentally. Instead of 400 cheap prints that poorly represent your work, post your photos on the Web in a FREE online storage. Your clients would be able to review the proofs and give you directions before you have invested in post-production. I usually recommend our photographer clients to check out MediaFire.com that offers unlimited storage with up to 100MB per file and image galleries for free. If you know of a comparable service, let us know and we’ll spread the word for the good cause.

Phishing for Photographers

2008-07-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

Any photographer would get excited by the chance to buy a camera for a tenth of its regular price. Well, when you see such a deal on eBay, this is most probably a phishing scam. (If you don't know, phishing is a criminal activity with the aim of obtaining people's financial information, social security numbers, credit card info, passwords.) Hacker mobs find ways to hijack legitimate sellers' account, especially if such accounts have been dormant for some time, and post their own ads with lucrative offers. They even provide a contact address that is fake or randomly selected. How to avoid being scammed? The old rule applies - if it's too good to be true, it most probably is.

Such scams have been known for a while. Now, just yesterday we received a phishing sample that is quite new to us but it does remind so-called "Nigerian letters" that say you have won an international lottery or asks you to help release a large sum of money inherited by someone and a percentage in return. This is an ancient form of phishing that pre-dates the Internet.

Scams like this target everyone. But there seem to be customized versions of such scams targeting particular groups of people. There are postings on business forums where multiple victims complain they have paid thousands of dollars for submitting an application to receive financing from VC firms.

The letter that we received targets photographers. Being a photography post production company, we were not familiar with this new scam genre and forwarded the email to one of our old clients, who replied that she has been receiving such emails for a while. We decided to post the entire letter so that you would recognize a phishing "inquiry" if you get one. There are at least six distinctive markings of a scam here: it’s too good to be true, it’s too wordy and has too much personal detail aimed at establishing credibility, "I am looking for the BEST" – an old-time classic to flatter you, name-dropping by specifying a modeling agency that exists, a hazy excuse "I could have making this a phone order but", plenty of errors. See for yourself:

My name is Laura Baldwin a model with UK Model Management Company But Presently am in Essex,North London on a modeling contract which i hope to be back home soon to join my fiance which lives in LA.My Husband's name's Bruce and I are planning to have our wedding on Sept. 27th,2008 @
Millennium Biltmore Hotel 506 South Grand Avenue LA,I am looking for the best Photographer who will come and photo shot on the D-day and when i came across your advert i was impressed.

Let me know your price charges for your required services if you are to give me the below packages on that day with full coverage of both the church and reception and of both the bride and the bridegroom,their parents,the officiating ministers and our guests:

1 CD with all your edited photos, High Resolution (100-400 Images)
1 16X20
1 DVD Slide show, 50 photos
1 12X18 Leather or Suede Coffee Table Album (24 sides)
2 5X7 Leather or Suede Coffee Table Albums (24 sides)

We will want you to work for at least 6 Hours at both occasion and if you are out of party venue,we will pay the transportation charges to and from the party venue .Also,we will have the videos at the wedding forwarded to the Publisher of a celebrity magazine here in Essex,UK so they could feature it in their celebrity weekly Mag.

I could have making this a phone order but there is a little problem with the network of the state so bear with me in a couple of days.

Expected guest count: ~105.
Ceremony start time: ~10:00am, And you could probably leave after cocktail hour, which would probably end around 4:00pm .

Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.

B.Rgds.

Laura Baldwin.

What to do if you receive such a letter? Ignore and delete. Or, if you are not lazy, report it to the US federal cybercrime site at http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/ or to the Anti-Phishing Working Group - http://www.antiphishing.org.

Doctored Photos Can Alter Memories

2008-07-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

Doctored photos can easily change viewers' recollections of significant historic events, shows a study of 299 subjects aged 19 to 84. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the University of Padua in Italy showed study participants pictures of either the 1989 Tiananmen Square protest or a 2003 anti-war protest in Rome. Some of the pictures were genuine, while others had been digitally altered. After viewing the photos, participants answered questions about the events pictured.

Researchers found that when photos of the anti-war protest were altered to look more violent than in real life, participants recalled more physical confrontation, injuries and property damage. They also reported feeling less inclined to participate in future protests. When the famous photo of a lone protestor standing before advancing tanks during the Tiananmen Square protests was altered to include crowds of people on either side, study participants likewise recalled many more people having been in proximity to the tanks.

In a related study published in the same journal, researchers showed that accompanying photos can alter readers' understanding of a news story. In this case, participants edited a news study about a hurricane-affected region accompanied by a photo of the village before or after the hurricane. Although the article made no mention of injury or death, 32 percent of participants who viewed "after" photos recalled having read information about death and injury, compared to just nine percent of those who saw a "before" photo.