The Rule of Thirds is probably the single most important thing to learn when your start practicing your photography.  It will automatically make your photos more interesting.  I didn’t say it would make your photos great, but it will definitely make them more interesting to look at.  When we talk about The Rule of Thirds we are basically talking about Composition or the placement of key subjects in relation to one another in the photograph.  So whenever I use the word “composition” I am talking about “the rule of thirds” and vice versa.  Have you ever heard of people saying, “Well he/she has a great eye” when it comes to photography.  More than likely that “eye” they are talking about relates to how you compose your photographs.  You can be born with a great “eye” or you can develop and practice your composition and develop your “eye” for composing great photographs.  This is where The Rule of Thirds helps out those people who may be “Composition-ally Challenged” (by the way, I know I am using quotations waaay too much in this post already so I will try to cut back).

So, what exactly is The Rule of Thirds?  The wiki definition states: an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.

Let’s simplify that shall we.  Have you ever played tic-tac-toe?  If you drew out a tic-tac-toe board across your photo like this you will have the guidelines for the rule of thirds:

So what should you do with those lines.  Well let’s go back to simplifying the Wikipedia definition.  I’ll break it down like this.  Don’t put your subject (in this case…your kids) smack in the middle of the frame.  The rule is you don’t want to split your subject in half (both vertically or horizontally).  Use these lines as guides to place your subject on one of the lines for a more pleasing composition.  This rule is especially helpful to those of you who like to dabble in a little vacation photos or landscapes.  The general rule is that you shouldn’t put the horizon line in the middle of your photo.  Place it closer to the top third or bottom third of the photo.

Now let’s go one step further.  The intersection of the lines on your tic-tac-toe rule of thirds are called “power points”…no…not the Microsoft software.  These are areas of a photo where your eye naturally falls.  So if you can compose your image to have one of the important elements landing on one of the power points your photo will be that much more compelling and interesting to look at.  Here are where those power points are at:

Allright.  Now it is time to show you some real world examples of some good uses of The Rule of Thirds so you can get an idea of how you can use it the next time you are composing a photo of your kids.  None of these photos are split down the middle.  In some of them the subject is just off to the center, but it makes a big difference.

This last photo is a good example of using the bottom 2/3 of the the image and leaving room at the top of the photo as interesting blank space.  And notice he isn’t split exactly down the middle of the photograph…so even a slight adjustment can make a big difference.

I also recommend you google “Rule of Thirds” and there are a ton of other great examples…these are just ones I happened to have taken over the past year or so.  You can also get some great examples of using the Rule of Thirds when photographing landscapes and other scenic vacation photos.  Now you can start to play around with your composition and keeping your subject out of the middle of the photo.

Keep in mind that this…like most other photography rules…can be broken, but it is better to understand the rule enough to know when you can break it.

TweetOk, so we don’t typically post articles about things that haven’t come to the public eye yet. However, this rumor about a new camera technology was too appealing to pass up.

Let’s say you’re at a children’s birthday party. As we all know, it’s difficult to always get your shots in focus when kids are running around and enjoying themselves. However, what if you had a camera that lets you adjust your focus after you’ve taken the photo?

You heard correct. A company named Lytro claims they have invented a camera that can do just that. They’re calling it a “light field camera”, with a fully automatic exposure and focus feature that allows you to concentrate on framing the shot, instead of worrying about all the other details. With an “instant on” feature, and a portable compact design, this camera lets you shoot first and ask questions later (aka focus your images at a later time).

Lytro states that their camera uses a “light field sensor” that captures reflected light rays from your subject from all the different angles possible. By using internal software instead of more physical hardware, the sensor is able to reconstruct the captured image with all of the detail from every focal distance. Basically, you get to choose which level of focus depth you want the picture to display.

By having the ability to pick your focus after the picture is taken, you no longer have to worry about getting the shot in focus. You can choose it later. Lytro claims that you can create 2D or interactive 3D images from their camera.

The company has chosen to keep things under wraps until later in the year. However, you can sign up to learn more by going to their website and signing up for more information.

If this technology is more than just vaporware, we are definitely going to want to get our hands on one of these!

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Summer is in full swing, and most of you by now are snapping away on your mobile devices. At Canvas Press, we like to think it’s one’s duty to document life with photography. Most of us now have mobile phones. In many ways, it’s become far more convenient to take a picture with your phone instead of your point and shoot camera. Plus with social media like Facebook and Twitter, many of us are spreading our summer-loving photos all over the internet, sharing them with family and friends instantly. But with all the mobile apps out there, which one should you choose?

Enter Instagram. A fun-loving, easy way to snap photos, apply cool effects, and see images of other people you follow. Plus, you can geotag your images as well as post them to Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. All from within one cool photo app. 

For those of you who are social media savvy, Instagram offers an entire online community of photo enthusiasts who can view your photo stream, as well as “Like” and comment on your images.

If you’re familiar with Twitter, then you’ll feel right at home using mentions and hashtags from right inside the app, allowing you to tag people in your images or categorize them. There’s even a stream for popular photos, allowing you to browse some of the most interesting and inspiring images created by other Instagram users.

And the best part about Instagram is that it’s free! Yup, you heard right. It doesn’t cost a dime. The only shortcoming is that currently it’s only available for the iPhone. But there are rumors that an Android version might be in the works.

Customers of ours are already sending in their Instagram photos to create square Gallery Wraps of their favorite candid moments. Everything from snapshots of friends to cool vacation photos.

What better way to document your summer than by snapping away and sharing your retro candid photos than with Instagram?

Do you have any Instagram photos you would like to share? Post the link to it in the comments section below along with the title of your image. Happy Summer!

You can follow us on Instagram by searching for username “canvaspress”. Here are some of our favorite Instagram photos:

Traveling is an amazing opportunity for taking some of the best photographs; however, being in a strange place with flashy camera equipment can sometimes be asking for trouble. Transportation of everything in general can be a challenge as well. These few simple tips will help you keep your treasured memories secure so you can bring home your best travel photography.

1. When traveling through airports keep your most vital and sensitive equipment with you. We’ve all seen the disarray our checked bags can appear in and trusting that your lenses or other equipment will arrive undamaged is not a good idea. With bags being searched everywhere, it isn’t out of the question that thefts occur in the process, with expensive items being “misplaced” unfortunately. Accessories like extra batteries or filters that are non-essential items can be checked just to save weight and space in your carry-on.

Because you’ll be carrying a lot of electronic equipment allow extra time to go through security. After an x-ray they’ll likely want to examine the pieces. Just be patient and watch while they do so. After all, it’s to keep us all safe.

2. Treat your memory cards like gold. Bring extra cards with you so you can keep snapping and not have to delete or worry about needing to download images to free up space. Once a card is full keep it in a secure place, tucked away in your money belt isn’t a bad idea. If you do have to check your camera on the way home take the card out and keep it on you, that way if something happens at least you have the images.

3. Make sure you are insured. If you buy travel insurance for your trip check the coverage for belongings and make sure camera equipment is covered for full replacement costs (check your that your total $ claim limit will be enough) for damage, theft and loss. If the travel insurance company doesn’t offer the coverage you need call your renters or homeowners insurance company to discuss their coverage or options to purchase a temporary policy.

4. Don’t flaunt your gear. Find a bag or backpack that will safely hold your equipment but that doesn’t scream “expensive photo gear” with fancy logos and obvious camera bag style. Minimize your accessories as much as possible, but don’t skimp so much that you have regrets, thinking “This shot would be so much better with my wide angle!”

If you want a group shot and ask someone to take it for you, it’s not a bad idea to look for another tourist or someone with a nice camera as well. That way they won’t be tempted to run for it (no European Vacation moments) and they’ll probably know what buttons to push to get the shot.

Once you get home safely with all your amazing photos don’t forget to share them! If you travel a lot, think about starting your own blog or post them on Facebook. Once you’ve had a chance to sort through and pull out your favorites, make a few tweaks and edits so they are perfect and start creating your own personal art.

Printing travel photos on canvas or aluminum can make unique and meaningful artwork to decorate your home or office. Let Canvas Press help you do so. Once people start to see how amazing it looks you’ll have requests for more and more copies! Before you know it you’ll be starting your own business selling fine art prints of your travel photos.

Name: Wesley

Job:Sales

Experience: Engineering and Manufacturing Management, Technical Sales

Favorite Canvas Press Order: Black and White of my son, Logan

Funniest on-the-job Story: Shortly after leaving Freescale, I went to have lunch with an old friend at Whole Foods. After discussing my new opportunity with Canvas Press, suddenly Kristin and I were being paraded through the Whole Foods offices downtown, and we were introduced to some folks working on the office décor. My first sales call happened before I actually started working the new job!

Favorite Color:Bright Yellow!

Dream Vacation: Fishing and camping deep in the Alaskan wilderness. With a guide.

Pets: Gus, adorable dog and faithful friend to Logan and Skye. Siamese cats Toby and Phoebe.

Music: Shinedown and 30 Seconds to Mars

Reads: Favorite book is Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. More recently Outliers by Malcom Gladwell was fascinating.

Last Movie Watched: Gran Torino – funny and a bit sad, but definitely worth watching

Guilty Pleasure: Sharing a bottle of wine and cooking a big meal!

On a Saturday I can be found: Playing tennis, running, and then undoing it all with a plate of wings at Plucker’s!

2009 Resolution: Try a new career outside of Freescale! And lose 20 pounds. Doing great on the first resolution – going backwards on the latter…

Name: Cassie

Job: Online Marketing

Experience: M.A. Advertising The University of Texas at Austin

Favorite Canvas Press Order: The 50+ piece order we did for UT, of course. Hook ‘Em

Funniest on-the-job Story: I vote Caroline’s story.

Favorite Color: Olive Green

Dream Vacation: Dubai & Japan as well as the Victoria Albert Museum in England. My minor is the history of fashion so any costume museum will do.

Pets: My boxer Mabel Rose

Music: Elton John

Reads: Click, The Social Network Business Plan: 18 Strategies That Will Create Great Wealth

Last Movie You Watched: The Reader – Kate Winslet is AMAZING. The moral implications presented in the film are hard to get out of your head. I am still thinking about it.

Guilty Pleasure: All things B Spears, celeb gossip sites, romance novels

On a Saturday, I can be found: landscaping my backyard

2009 Resolution: To see how long I could go without buying clothes. I lasted 2.5 months until I needed sweaters for an Angel Fire, NM ski trip.

Name: Caroline

Job: Operations – I handle the day-to-day business, customer service, image formatting & printing, sometimes even a little shipping.        

Experience: I have a degree in photography from St. Edwards University. I’ve worked as an assistant for several wedding & portrait photographers in Austin. Now I own my own photography business.

Favorite Canvas Press Order: There is a woman who travels the world with her husband. They always take a cute photo together in front of something iconic where they are. She then has them printed in black and white with red text saying the place and year. She’s ordered at least 10 canvases so far in varying sizes. I can only imagine how neat they all look together and I can’t wait for the next order to see where they have been!

Funniest on-the-job Story: I was the last one out and closing the shop by myself. I went to shut the loading dock door which is suspended about 20 feed in the air. I reached for the rope but it was not there. I looked up and it was neatly wrappe din a loop on the latch – also 20 feet in the air. I’m 5’3″….. looking at even our tallest ladder makes me uneasy. After moments of wondering what on earth I was going to do I called Renee – to chastise her for her superwoman strength – she had flung the door and rope so high. After a good laugh she told me to use one of the long stretcher bars to knock the rope down. Fortunately it worked!!!

Favorite Color: Green

Dream Vacation: Around the world trip/cruise – I’d like to see every continent, of course photographing it all.

Pets: An orange tabby cat, Rudy

Music: I am a huge Bon Jovi fan. I almost died when we got an order for 55 canvases of the band.

Reads: Why couldn’t I answer this a few months ago when I was reading something intellectual like Garcia-Marquez? Now I’m into James Patterson, one of the Women’s Murder Club books.

Last Movie You Watched: W. I finally got around to seeing it and really enjoyed it. Not too negative, not too positive – pretty good job Olive Stone.

Guilty Pleasure: Crime dramas – I could spend a whole day watching Law & Order, NCIS, Bones, etc.

On a Saturday, I can be found: vegging out

2009 Resolution: The clichés – lose weight, get in shape, get organized

One of you recently posted a comment on our blog asking,

Is there any way I can save pictures taken out of focus on my d60 Nikon?

Those nifty crime shows have led us to believe any blurry image can be made sharp with the right computer software. While this is not true, you can use Adobe Photoshop to add a small amount of sharpening.

Filter< Sharpen< Unsharpen Mask

Sharpening more than 150% at a radius of 1 will cause your images to look grainy and computer generated.

Tips for Preventing Blurry Snapshots

1. The lens on Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras should be set to auto instead of manual focus.
2. Take multiple shots. 9 times out of 10 you will have one print that is not blurry in the bunch.
3. Find a source of stabilization such as a tripod or fence.
4. Take a step back. It is hard for your camera to focus if you are extremely close to the subject.
5. Point-and-shoot cameras usually have face detection software therefore you do not need to adjust your camera settings.
6. When using an SLR try manually selecting your focal point.  This allows you to control your focus.

Built with style, the new Apple iPhone is a very functional device. I recently purchased the new phone and I’ve been excited daily to keep playing with it. There are a few quirks with the iPhone, but overall I’m impressed and I can’t wait to see what the next generation iPhone will bring.

One of the features of the new iPhone is that like most other mobile phones today, it has a built-in camera for those of us that can’t live without a camera. The camera is not the best camera found on mobile devices; however, I was surprised to discover that you can create a quality image from the iPhone to have printed as a canvas, so let’s get into the details. (more…)

Forget MEGApixels and start taking GIGApixel images with your digital camera. That’s right, with your tiny, point-and-shoot digital camera. New technology from Carnegie Mellon University in collaboration with NASA’s Ames Research Center, Google and local Austin company, Charmed Labs now brings consumers the ability to create and share multibillion-pixel panoramas.

They are called “GigaPans.” Carnegie Mellon and Ames developed software that could digitally stitch together hundreds of overlapping images to create one large, extremely high resolution picture. Charmed Labs is an electronics company from Austin, Texas that has worked with Carnegie Mellon on past projects. For this endeavor, they were able to create a low-cost robotic device in which a point-and-shoot digital camera can be mounted to take the necessary pictures. (more…)