My pictures compared to Magazine pictures

[q-live]

I just took pictures yesterday with a 4 megapixel cam (i hope to soon upgrade) and i want them to look like the pictures in magazines. Now i know some of it is lighting but is there any software or a filter in fireworks or photoshop that i can run a picture thru to give it that professional look?????
The reason i asked is because i heard someone mad a software that could make movies you record with regular videocamera into a regular movie like look.

[data_999]

Professionnal magazine shoot with a 45000$ &+ digital camera. With a kick ass studio. Their picture are depending the size of the magazine at least 300dpi and also they are fully retouch with Photoshop. So to have the same "professionnal look" you can do it if you're good with Photoshop and have at least take a picture with a 6-8 meg cam. (my opinion).

As well for your movie, I never tried, but i'm pretty sure if you record on a blue or green screen with a videocamera and edith in a software video like Adobe Premiere or after effect i'm sure you can come with good result.

[redgoat]

Honestly it all depends I don't think you need all the fancy $$$$ cameras to take a nice pick... here are some questions what are you doing with the pics? Are they used on the web or printed? Will you post them on your myspace account or send them in to TIME magazine. This makes a big difference... if your printing them then yes a min of 300 dpi is needed. Also never make your image bigger then it is. Stretching or enlarging will only reduce your image quality. Most any lighting problems can be overcome. Here is what you really need to play with to drastically change the look of your images... The biggest change and additions Photoshop has to offer can be done in your…. Image> Adjustments>: Levels, color balance, and my favorite and most useful Curves! Play with these. Learn how to make them work for you and you will save your self a lot of money on expensive equipment.

[raviganesh91221]

Photography means painting with light!!
A photographer needs to learn to "read" light, not only to set up the studio lights but also to use the sun to your own advantage.

There's a few different types of light, those are: direct light, diffuse light and indirect light.

Direct light = just what it sound like, light that comes direct from the source, such as sunlight on a bright summer day.

Diffuse light = light that have passed some sort of filter and are more spread then direct light, usually this happens when clouds are in front of the sun.

Indirect light = light that have bounced on a surface, things like a building or a mirror.
The quality of a photograph just depends upon the lighting you use. There are differnet types of lighting like 3 point lighting and various objects like snoot, bouncer, etc. Lighting is always and important factor to think about when you take pictures. If it is possible outside lighting is the best. When outside make sure you have the sun behind you when you are shooting your subject. If inside make sure you use a flash if ample light is not available. Try and remember to think about your lighting conditions. It plays a key role in getting a quality shot.

http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/history/lighting.htm

[q-live]

thanks everyone