Active Fine Art Posts

How To: Learn the parts of a Diana+ 35mm camera

Watch this photography tutorial for an out of the box look at the Lomography 35mm film back for the Diana+ and Diana F+. It's great to have a vintage film camera, but these days most of the individual camera parts are mysteries to the amateur photographer. Have fun learning to use your Diana camera.

How To: Recycle a sweater into a strapless dress with Gianny L

Learn how to recycle a frumpy winter sweater into a sporty strapless dress! The sexy GiannyL demonstrates this DIY closet hack that's simple and cheap. All you need is one old frumpy winter sweater, pins, scissors, and a sewing machine. Cut along the pattern that Gianny L has demonstrated and sew. It's that easy. Now you have a sporty strapless dress and a matching jacket, too!

How To: Convert a t-shirt and a flannel into a hoodie

Rob and Corinne invade the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan and get a sweet tutorial for making a hoodie from the new winners of the Threadbanger/Janome Sewing Machine in this how-to video. About five minutes into this video, get together a t-shirt and a flannel; that's all you need to recycle some old clothes into a hoody. Watch this video fashion tutorial and learn how to reconstruct an old t-shirt and flannel into a new hoodie.

How To: Draw the impossible triangle

This is a short instructional video showing you the easiest way to draw an impossible triangle. Follow along with the demonstrator to capture the lines to sketch this physical enigma. Just because it can't exist, doesn't mean you can't render it. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to draw the impossible triangle.

How To: Gesso a canvas

You can’t expect to paint a masterpiece on untreated cloth. Here’s how to gesso, or prime, a homemade canvas in a hurry. You will need gesso, water, a plastic mixing bowl, a drop cloth, fine grit sandpaper and a house paintbrush. Tip: some painters prefer to use a squeegee to apply gesso, instead of a brush. The edges of your canvas will drip a little, so use a smaller brush to work the excess gesso back into the sides.

How To: Photograph a white product with a white background

Need to shoot a product with a white background? Well, taking photos with a white backdrop can be tricky if your subject is white also. Watch this behind the scenes photography video to see how to photograph a white product with a white background. This style of shoot is quite standard for eshops which need product photos with a white background. It takes a couple flashes and a goo camera to get it down, just watch and see for yourself.

How To: Make a glass positive/soft negative for Collodion

This shows the process of making a positive image on clear glass; traditionally, this would be called an Ambrotype. Here, it is a little bit overexposed to get a "soft negative" or a negative that can be used with modern silver paper (printing). Learn how to make a glass positive or soft negative picture with the Collodion printing technique by watching this video photography tutorial.

How To: Take a fashion portrait photograph

A fashion portrait should convey emotion and follow a story line. Delightfully, besides these two rules, it doesn’t have to make sense. Art photography can be dramatic or goofy. Make sure you don't just leave it all for Photoshop. Make an effort to get the right lighting before you start flashing away for your beauty shot or headshot.

How To: Discharge dye a T shirt

Make any dark shirt look super cool with discharge dye in less than 30 minutes! This is an easy dying project that is similar to tie dying but does not use colors. Bleaching a dark shirt will make it fashionable and customized to your liking. Bleach discharge uses the same techniques as tie dying. You need rubber bands, a t shirt and a bleach filled water bucket.

How To: Make shorts and a hat from old pants

Got some old pants lying around? Need a new Hat? Well In this tutorial video from Threadbanger, you get an in depth lesson from Liz Tilley who shows you how to make a cool summer cap out of an old pair of pants. This summer hat idea is totally cute, and it can help you get rid of that pair of pants that doesn't fit anymore.

How To: Take pictures of lightning with a Nikon DSLR

Here is a detailed video that explains techniques and equipment you can use to take pictures of a lightning storm. Yes, take photographs in an actual lightning storm. You will definitely need a tripod to take a photograph with a long exposure and a plastic bag to protect your camera from the rain. Telephoto lenses allow you to keep a safe distance and avoid switching lenses during a lightning storm. Equipment used in this video: Nikon d300, Nikon 18-200mm vr and Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 vr lenses.

How To: Turn scrap fusing glass into a ribbon cane

This is a quick demonstration of one of the many ways to turn scrap Bullseye glass in to a ribbon cane. Watch this instructional lampworking video to recycle glass pieces and melt them into a cane. You can then use the glass cane to melt it into finely crafted glass jewelry such as beads, buttons and glass miniatures.

How To: Choose the right speed film for cameras

When choosing camera film, use slow film for bright day light, medium speed film for a cloudy day and high speed film for low light conditions. Choose the right speed of film for a particular camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. The speed of the film is essential in determining what type of environment you will be taking pictures, so listen up!

How To: Load film into a camera correctly

When loading film into a camera, never touch the blades of the shutter and make sure to advance the film a couple of times in a manual camera. Load film in a camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Loading film is an important first step for new photographers.

How To: Develop film for a black-and-white photo

When developing film for a black-and-white photo, first extract the leader of the film from the film canister and then pull out the rest of the film in total darkness. Develop a black and white photograph with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Good information for black and white photography students.

How To: Set the shutter speed and aperture of a camera

When setting the shutter speed and aperture of a camera, use a light meter to take a reading, then set the aperture or shutter speed, depending on which is more important for the photograph. Set the shutter speed and aperture of a camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. For novice photographers, setting the shutter speed and aperture is an important first step in mastering the art of photography.

How To: Choose the right camera lens

When choosing a camera lens, use a telephoto lens for a zoom or a wide-angle lens for a broader view, which allows photographers to fit more of a subject into a photo. Choose the right lens for a specific photo with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Lens are very expensive, so make sure you are educated before you buy a new camera lens.

How To: Clean an SLR camera

When cleaning an SLR camera, use a stiff brush to remove dirt and a lint-free cloth to remove grease marks. Clean an SLR camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Clean your SLR camera like a pro.