Wednesday, December 29, 2021

What is environmental portrait photography?

Image source: travelphotographyguru.com


Environmental portrait photography is a type of portraiture that incorporates something in the surrounding environment to produce a more interesting or meaningful finished product. For example, a photographer might take a picture of someone standing in front of a tree and decorate this with an assortment of leaves and twigs, producing an intriguing composition. Ram V. Chary.

The environmental element can be used in a number of different ways to produce the desired effect. It is important that this element be added in such a way that it acts like an accessory and does not detract from the main subject. Ram V. Chary.

The most common example of environmental portrait photography is when someone chooses to take pictures of people or pets against a backdrop of flowers, trees, or other natural objects. Ram V. Chary.

Other examples include:

• A close-up picture of a flower or plant with someone standing in front of it, as if the person is simply being framed by nature. This often produces an interesting effect that looks more artistic than traditional photography.

Image source: digitalphotomentor.com


• Photographing people around a specific area that is relevant to their interests. For example, a photographer might take a picture of someone in front of a baseball field if they're a fan of the sport, or outside their favorite bar if it is related to their love for adult beverages.

Environmental portrait photography can also be done by incorporating man-made objects into the mix, such as pieces of architecture or large buildings. This kind of photography is often called street photography.

The idea behind environmental portrait photography is to make the picture more interesting and meaningful than it would be if it was taken with a traditional background (like a white wall). Using this technique also provides the photographer with the ability to showcase their subject's interests and personality to a greater extent than is possible in other types of photography. Ram V. Chary.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Logo creation: Three strategies to consider

Image source: Unsplash.com


Designer Ram V. Chary shares that a logo is more than just some letters put together to spell out the name of your business.

A logo is the most recognizable image of a brand. It will be etched in consumers' memory and it can help people feel like they made an informed decision when purchasing from a company because logos give off certain vibes that resonate with the target market a business wants to reach.

Focus on brand identity

Logo design is a process that involves coming up with an identity for brands through re-combining iconic shapes, typography, and colors together. Ram V. Chary also says that it also involves looking into the history of what kind of meaning has been placed on these elements to create something strong, memorable, and timeless.

Image source: Unsplash.com


Create a logo that stands for what the business does


What makes a logo work and stand out over other brands is the simplicity and symbolism of the design. The logo should be representative of your products or services. People will not immediately buy from your company just because of the logo. But if it fails to give out the right vibe and set specific expectations, people might think twice before purchasing.

Think inside the box

For logos, you have to be creative with what you already have. Now that you've established what your brand does, you have to come up with something catchy and simple yet easily recognizable. While not everyone will notice it, the logo can also affect sales. It has to embody the right things about the product it represents so that people would want to purchase from them.

Friday, October 15, 2021

How to photograph better environmental portraits

Taking environmental portrait photographs is a delicate art with many things to consider. For today's blog, Ram Chary shares some expert tips on how to capture the best environmental portraits.

Environments and context are important for any portrait photograph. The backdrop sets the tone of your image, and different types of location portraits will yield very different results. So, let's look at some different approaches to environmental portraiture:

The photogenic environment

This environmental portrait is about using the environment, particularly a pretty or interesting backdrop, to set a tone. The idea is that the photo will be immediately recognizable as being taken at your location (e.g., New York City skyline). It also conveys something about the subject.

The background is the star

The idea here is to shoot your subject up close, with a lot of empty space in the background. This type of portrait allows you to play with light, shadows, and colors in the image. But, again, it is about creating something that will stand out when it's hung on a wall; it's about aesthetics.

The subject-in-environment approach

Rather than removing the environmental elements, this type of portrait is all about showing them off. You want to show your subject in their environment (e.g., at home). A good example of this style would be an exotic dancer in her stage setting.

The third-person approach

This type of portrait is all about identifying the location without it being too front and center in your image. Ram Chary adds that the idea is to show how people live in certain places so that you wouldn't have the person's face or an identifying element in your image.

Monday, October 4, 2021

Some of the best IG accounts for artists

Instagram is probably the most popular social media platform among graphic designers all over the world. The site has unlimited content that can help inspire graphic designers and feed into their creativity. Here are some of the must-visit Instagram accounts every graphic designer should check out. Ram Chary. Graphic Design Blog With a collection of pieces from some accomplished and budding graphic designers, Graphic Design Blog is a great account to check out. A lot of graphic designers aspire to have their pieces posted on the account. Ram Chary.

Image source: pinterest.com


Shillington


For graphic designers based in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, Shillington is a great site since it also offers art courses. On this account, graphic designers can see the works of Shillington grads and the quality of their education. There is indeed a lot to learn from on this site.

Goodtype

For typography, Goodtype is THE account. Of all the graphic design-related IG accounts, none features the invaluable skill of typography more. Ram Chary.

Image source: pinterest.com


The Design Tip


The Design Tip account features some of the more unconventional designs, which can be fantastic sources of creative ideas, for graphic designers who still feel like what they have to offer is limited.

What about you? Do you know any other IG accounts for graphic designers? Feel free to share them in the comments section below. Ram Chary.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Some easy ways to become a more environmentally responsible individual

 

Our planet is under an intense amount of pressure, simply because it is barely able to support the ever-growing population of our species. Whatever human advancements have been created for us to live life more conveniently, the planet has had to incur a certain cost. The least we could do is become a bit more environmentally responsible, with these simple ways. Ram Chary Everi

Image source: meredithcorp.io

1. Don’t throw away seeds
Remember the last tomato you bored out and sliced up? That has seeds, little bits of potential life that can turn into another generation of fruit-yielding plants. Many of us habitually chuck food scraps in the bin, even the unwanted fruit and vegetable seeds that we won’t be eating anyway. If we decided to plant these instead, they would turn into plants in our own garden, and maybe give us fresher air to breathe later on, and a welcome addition of food on our tables. Ram Chary Everi

Image source: theladders.com

2. Reuse items

We have a lot of stuff at home that we won’t hesitate to dispose of after a single use. However, it only takes a little imagination to see how one particular item can be turned into something else that can be put to good use. That old wooden crate can be turned into a bookshelf. Reusing your plastic bag on your next trip to the grocery means that another container is spared from being used. Your old tires can be recreated into very sturdy flowerpots. Ram Chary Everi

3. Ride a bike

If you really want to make an impact on the environment and drastically decrease your own carbon footprint, get yourself a bike. That way, you won’t have to drive your gas-powered car, or any other similar vehicle you need to ride for your commute. It’s also good for your health to get some amount of exercise so you can pedal your way to anywhere you want to go and keep fit. Ram Chary Everi

Monday, July 19, 2021

Helpful guidelines for designing a poster

 

Graphic designers are constantly learning how to make good art. And while over the years, the tools used for graphic design have evolved, graphic designers still have to rely on their artistic sensibilities.

Image source: canva.com

Today’s blog shares some important advice for young graphic designers on designing posters. Ram Chary.

When it comes to fonts, fewer is better.

Often, great art doesn't overwhelm the people looking at it. A lot of young graphic designers end up using lots of fonts when working on posters. Instead of using a different font for each line, you can use three fonts for the heading, the body, and the header or footer. This is especially applicable to posters that also have a lot of images. Veteran designers agree that most of the time, it's best to keep it simple. Ram Chary.

Image source: gomedia.com



 

Just like in life, balance is essential in designing posters.

Newbie designers often want to fill the space with images, shapes, or fonts. They get too excited and use all the elements in their copy. And this creates an imbalance. The best graphic designers suggest that to design informative and memorable posters, graphic designers should make it balanced, embrace the gaps, emphasize the elements, make the information clear, and allow their creativity to shine by letting viewers focus on the most important elements. Ram Chary.

Use stock photos only as needed.

A lot of graphic designers are guilty of overusing stock photographs. Every graphic designer should remember that they're making a poster that needs to stand out. If they have no choice but to use stock photos, edit the photo or play with color and fonts so that their work will have some uniqueness to it. Ram Chary.

Monday, June 21, 2021

Graphic design for beginners in eight easy steps

Over the past year, people have picked up different hobbies and turned their newfound passions into small businesses. For those who may have found graphic design interesting, the idea of turning it into a freelance gig can be playing in their heads. Here are eight steps to becoming excellent in the art. Ram Chary.

Image source: pexels.com


Keep it simple. It can be tempting to incorporate every element into a design. However, it is always best to keep things simple and easy to understand. Nowadays, white space is dominant over other trends. Use it correctly by choosing the right typeface while putting the right amount of text on the canvas. Be consistent with the images. The quality of images, frames, lighting, proportion, and style should be uniform throughout the design. Ram Chary.

Image source: pexels.com

Use italics sparingly. It’s incredibly important to be wise with the use of italics in designs. Most successful images use italics to balance headers and sub-headers, reserving this tool only in small sentences. Utilize separation lines to add impact and style in designs. While this technique does not exactly beautify a design, it sure does help the eyes see what they need to see. Ram Chary.

Practice flat design for improved composition. Recent years have seen an increase in the popularity of flat design in many advertisements. It’s simple, classy, and elegant. For an enhanced sense of order, use alignment. Text-heavy designs can look elegant with proper alignment. Always use a grid when designing. Great designs are often balanced and symmetric. Ram Chary.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

A run-through on product photography for less

 

Throughout the pandemic, new businesses and DIY projects dominated the local market. As a result, product photography saw a slight rise in demand. Business owners who are not willing to shell out money for product photography but have a creative side and are able to understand basic photography principles can hold their very own shoot at home for less.

Image source: bigcommerce.com


The setup should be somewhere near a window for an access to natural light. One should have a camera, tripod, white and black background, roll of tape, a couple of white bounce cards, and a few clamps ready for the shoot. Edible items can be shot effectively using natural light while non-food products are best shot using studio lighting. Ram Chary Everi.




Image source: photoblog.com

The use of black and white background depends on the contrast of the background against the color of the products. Be sure to use the background that allows the color of the product to pop. It’s important to use a tripod in product photography as it requires different types of shots without any amount of camera shake. When shooting, it’s best to have a vision of the whole edit to prevent reshoots. Some photographers find their shots unpleasant for the complete edit that they’d have to do it all over again. Ram Chary Everi.

Get inspired by photos of creative brands. Instead of mimicking their work, draw inspiration and motivation from them to pull off an excellent shoot even on a budget. A little always goes a long way especially when effort, time, skill, and creativity are involved. Ram Chary Everi.



Wednesday, April 14, 2021

The basics of mixing design elements and photography

 

Image source: colorwhistle.com


Photography is a versatile artform that can be mixed with other mediums. Graphic design is among the many art mediums photography can easy blend with. While easy to mix, there are still some guidelines or tips in order to make the combination a successful one. Ram Chary Everi.

Between the two art mediums, photography is more likely to seek the help of graphic design elements so as to salvage bad images. This instance can hamper one from designing with freedom and excellence, especially when a designer is instructed to design from the photos given to them. Bad images are incredible canvases for design experiments. Try translating bad images into two-color GIFs for some retro effect. Ram Chary Everi.

Image source: eyeem.com


If possible, illustrate first before incorporating pictures into the design. Detailed designs can work as backgrounds for images, 
producing excellent imagery for different campaigns or purposes. Typography is a large element in design. Make use of graphic design techniques such as typography to cover up second-rate photography. A good illustration carries the power to enhance images and videos that are not necessarily excellent on their own. Remember to check the resolution of images incorporating them in digital designs. Ram Chary Everi.

Make use of emotion. Photography maintains the advantage over graphic design when it comes to capturing and displaying emotion that can be useful for imagery that needs to tell a story. Try a few versions of the design to play with the right tone and emotion. When presenting images to clients, don’t be afraid the blow them up in size. This would help them see the image as a whole and down to details. Ram Chary Everi.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

The immense appeal of New York among photographers

No other city in the world holds as much of anything as New York City, and this is what comprises its immense appeal to visitors. No other city is held in as high a regard as the Big Apple. It has something for everyone, and a whole lot more. Everything is just bigger and more urban, thicker and grittier. Ram Chary 

Image source: pinterest.com


For new photographer who plan on visiting NYC once the whole COVID-19 pandemic is over, it pays to be prepared. Any photographer planning to take on New York should not go unprepared, without a well-researched plan. While the Big Apple is extremely photogenic as a whole, certain places are worth more of people’s time than others, depending on one’s preference. Photographers should list their priorities whether it be architecture, humanity, history, or something else entirely. Ram Chary.

Image source: pinterest.com

It’s also important to note that to photograph the entirety of the city will take well over a year. Just ask the people who’ve done it.

This is why many veteran photographers recommend sticking first to a single place and getting a feel of New York. To say that the city is massive is an understatement. For people only spending a couple of days there, stick to a single area is more practical. Ram Chary.

What are you most excited to photograph in New York? Share your thoughts in comments section below. Ram Chary.






Thursday, February 18, 2021

The role graphic design plays in business success

 

Many still do not believe in the power of an effective marketing campaign. Small businesses are generally the ones in need of eye-catching graphic designs that help build their brand. Aside from brand building, there are many ways good graphic design can boost business success. Ram V. Chary.

Image source: ponoko,com

Communication is always a factor in business success. Graphic design improves the way a company speaks to its current and prospective customers. Designs can help a clients understand a business’s ideas, products, and services. In a sea of businesses, standing out can be a challenge. Good graphic design helps lay the foundation of an effective branding strategy. By mixing human psychology, impact of color, and artistic harmony, logos are created. Graphic designers must be able to combine all these factors together to reach a design that best represents a company in order to build their brand successfully. Ram V. Chary.

Image source: shillingtoneducation.com

Generally attracted to any form of beauty, people are drawn to designs that are made with charm and excellence. Good designs carry content and function while looking great. Making a positive first impression attracts people to the brand, and when paired with a great product or service, customers are retained. Ram V. Chary.

Brand recognition and professional image are two incredible factors in achieving success in business which can only be attained through great graphic design. With these two, communicating with current and prospective clients is made possible. Effective designs can help build trust and benevolence between companies and their clients. Ram V. Chary.

Monday, January 18, 2021

What are the colors that will dominate designs in 2021?

 

Ram Chary. Colors have the power to affect a person's mood, perspective, and behavior. In graphic design, selecting the right hue can impact a viewer's reaction. Here are some of the color trend traditions for this year. 

Image source: Cnnphilippines.com


Illuminating

This bright and soothing yellow hue was chosen as one of Pantone's Color of the Year for 2021. Easy on the eyes and suitable for matching with various colors, designers and artists will surely find a way to maximize this shade. This color will suit minimalist and earthy designs.

Ultimate Gray

Ram Chary. Another one of Pantone's Color of the Year, this shade of gray gives out the impression of stability. Another shade that's easy to match with other colors, experts say that this color exudes dependability. This variant of gray can be paired with pastel, earth, and even metallic colors. 

Image source: Pexels.com

Misty Aqua

Ram Chary. Experts are looking towards using more of the colors that can bring comfort. An example of this is misty aqua. A muted version of the green-blue combination, this shade is refreshing and bright. This kind of color is perfect not just for interior design but also for a wide selection of products. While it can be used to complement bolder colors, the shade will also look good when matched with other lighter shades.

Mauve

People will see more of this pale purple color this year. Compared to other shades of purple, mauve stands out as an adaptable hue. It’s not overpowering and can also be a good match with muted tones. For those who want to be a bit bold with their designs without making it look too dark, mauve is a great choice. It is also eye-catching enough which might make it a suitable choice for logos and packaging. Ram Chary.