Oh God, not another Twitter group! Why would I want to join yet another Twitter channel? Well, the first question that would normally pop up in your mind would be what's the purpose of it all? What are the benefits, so on and so forth. Let's take a look at the advantages of joining 123RF's Twitter Channel.

Macro photography is all about taking magnified shots of intricate details that can't be seen with naked eyes. It's definitely a subject worth exploring if you are into Nature or Stills (subjects which most macro objects fall into). With the right macro equipment, you'll be able to magnify an object at 1:1 or at larger ratios, without losing much image quality! You'll need lots of practice and experience to produce great macros but here are some basic tips that can help you get going.

Manual Focus
When dealing with intricate objects like those in Macro shooting, having the Auto Focus setting �ON� on your camera can give you more limitation than good. Your camera's Auto Focus isn't programmed to know your intended point of focus. Switching to Manual Focus on the contrary will allow you to manually choose and shoot your point of interest.

Aperture Setting
When it comes to shooting macro, it is always advisable to maximize your aperture setting to produce a shallow depth of field. This would help make your object stand out from the surrounding and be in focus.

Background
The golden rule of producing good macro shots is to avoid cluttered backgrounds or those with similar color hues as your object. This would either take the attention off the main object or make your object blend straight into the background! Either way, it's a definite no-no. A simple background or plain background with contrasting color to your object is the best pick, i.e having a lady bird set on a clear white background.  

Lighting
Also, pay as much attention to your light settings as you would on your object because insufficient light could result in a dull and tacky image. Too much light and you'll risk washing out the colors. Being sufficient is bliss.

• Natural Light � It's the best source of light, especially during bright overcast days and when the light is not too harsh or direct.
• Flash � Flash can create harsh brightness and shadows on your object. If you do use a flash, check if you camera allows you to to lower its intensity. Alternatively, use a flash diffuser or point your flash indirectly.
• Reflector � Helps bounce a soft and diffused amount of light to your object.

Enhancement
Enhance your bug/plant shots by spraying water at the surrounding plants or on the object itself. This gives the effect of dew or rain that would produce a fresh, sparkling and reflective effect on your shot. Alternatively, prepare a block of dry ice and you'll have mist and fog instantly!

Get Close
Dedicated macro lenses are made to help you produce a 1:1 or life-size reproduction. They are prime lenses and they don't allow zoom-ins. You'll need to get as close as possible to your target object manually and as steady as you can. A focal length of 100 to 200 mm from the object would be an ideal distance to be working from.

Go Steady
If you are not using the tripod, be sure to keep your camera really still when you are shooting macro, for the slightest movement could determine another NG shot. Better yet, consider investing in a shutter release cable (available in wireless now!) or learn to use your camera's self-timer mode. Both ways will allow you to take the shot you want without ever causing any movement to your camera and allow you to play around with different settings without losing your composition.

Do you know that children images are one of the more popular subjects when it comes to photography? Children images cover up to 81,000 of the total images in our site and it's always one of the top-searched keywords here in 123RF!

Reading back some of our Hear It! interview pieces, I cant help but to notice one thing - many photographers confessed that children are one of the toughest subjects to shoot! As much as they provide photographers with many unique opportunities, they cant help thinking that children are also one of the hardest subjects to control. They are easily restless, unpredictable and communicating with them can pose quite a challenge. Being a parent myself, I fully understand that it is indeed difficult to capture children behind the lens (I nevertheless kept good records of my child's growing up years! *Smug).

To capture good children-images, you have got to first capture their heart. Try to put yourself in their position and ask why would you want to choose work over play? Children wouldn't care less about having their pictures taken. They have much better things to do than to be surrounded by lights, props and people directing them what to do in front of the camera.

Children photography is therefore all about being quick and fun. You'll need to get them engaged without making it a chore for them. Having the right skills and equipment help as well. Here's how:

Patience
If you are expecting the shoot to be all according to plan, you are up for trouble. Sit back, relax and take your time to capture the right shot. Children might be self conscious of the camera's presence but this often wear off once they have loosen up. The right moment will often come to you when you least expect. If you are a short-tempered person, do tell yourself now that children photography is not for you.

Have Fun
Have some fun playing or joking around as these are all good ice breakers and can help children be more at ease. Similarly, include their family or friends in the shoot, or replay some of the shots to hype them up. Last but not least, give them short break intervals! You wouldn't want to overwork them.

Be Natural
Children are usually more comfortable being in their own elements; either being in a familiar surrounding or at the outdoors. So why not transport your shoot to the nearby park and let the children have all the fun they want while you getting all the sunlight you need?! Best of both worlds!

Going Candid
As mentioned earlier, you'll need to get the children engaged without making it a chore for them. You cant expect children to pose for you in front of the camera without having getting disappointed in the end. And the only way to get around this is to have your subject working candid. Take pictures of them while they are working, playing, reading, sleeping, chatting or eating and you'll be surprised how easy it is to get the results you want.

Props
Another simple technique while photographing children includes giving them an item that they have in their everyday lives; for example, a toy or a bolster. This provides a sense of security to the child during shoot and help gives the viewers some idea of the child�s personal character.

Capture Emotions
When it comes to emotions, no one shows it better than children. Capture those special moments.

Angle and Perspective

• Get down and shoot from a child's perspective. This will give the child a greater sense of individual identity as well as giving the viewers a sense of equality. On top on that, the use of flash can also be distributed evenly on the child's face and the background, appearing much more natural.
• Be adventurous, try taking the shot from below a child's eye-level as if the child is looking down at the viewer. This will give the child a sense of authority.
• Shoot from some creative angles and perspective or tilt your camera to give your shot that sense of playfulness.
• Have your subject placed at the side of the frame to make the entire composition more interesting and dynamic.
• Fill your camera's viewfinder with your subject matter. The closer you get to your subject, the bigger the impact and message it creates. Use this technique to emphasize what is important as well. 
• If you are going to include the background and surrounding into your shots, remember not to have those elements distract you from the subject you are trying to capture.
• However it might be, be sure to have the eyes in focus. Whether you are working with adult models, children or animals, it is always the eyes that speak a thousand words.

Go Automatic
With digital cameras involved, why worry about taking the few extra shots? Just shoot right on. Life doesn't give you the chance for take-twos so it's better to have surplus than being insufficient.

Post Production
Depending on what you want to convey, some level of image retouching and manipulation is needed to help enhance the mood or convey your message more accurately. Play around with striking and playful colors to give it some fun or black and white portraits for the dramatic effect.

Children photography are not always a nightmare. Let the child-in-you guide you along.

�What's In Your Bag?�

Geavity is about to answer just that - by showcasing your gear! And if you have never heard of Geavity yet, here's a little introduction for you.

There�s been a fuss among photographers recently about smoke photography. We ran a search about it over the Internet and woila! amazing stuffs!

Last week, we have decided to head over to our studio and try on a few rounds ourselves. It�s really no easy job trying to shape and direct formless shape of smoke into masterpieces. But here are some simple techniques and work samples that will help you keep the ball rolling!