You need great light to direct attention to your subjects and help your photos appear natural. If you want to make great light with flashes, you need gels. Gels simply color your flash's light which allows you to match the flash color to the light in a room. When the light from the flash doesn't match the ambient light, it stands out and looks like it was flashed. You'll make more natural-looking photos if you use gels. I recently made a photo for a pro bono ad in a local magazine. This fellow has started a food bank in town, and the local … [Read more...] about Want Natural-Looking Light? Use Gels.
Levi Sim
Levi Sim is passionate about making photographs and helping others make their pictures better, too. Join him on Twitter and Instagram (@PhotoLevi), read more of his articles here, and join him at Out of Chicago.
Latest posts by Levi Sim (see all)
- Want Natural-Looking Light? Use Gels. - September 25, 2016
- Personalizing Powerful Plugins with Serge Ramelli - September 24, 2016
- Four Tips for Starbursts - September 18, 2016
Personalizing Powerful Plugins with Serge Ramelli
You gotta join us live for our next Lightroom Live, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday, October 3rd at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2:30 pm in Newfoundland. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Personalizing Powerful Plugins with Serge Ramelli
Four Tips for Starbursts
Any small light source in your photograph can potentially become a starburst, and finding creative ways to use them in your pictures is fun. These tips will help you build a formula for making starbursts anytime you want. 1. Appropriate Aperture The most common tip for making starbursts is to use a very small aperture, like f/22 or f/16. While this is generally true, it's not a hard rule. Depending on your camera and lens combinations, you can get starbursts at much wider apertures, as well. I know that with a few of my lenses I can get … [Read more...] about Four Tips for Starbursts
Live: Mastering Photos for Mac Extensions with Mykii Liu and Richard Harrington
You gotta join us live for our next Live Webinar, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away two copies of Athentech's new extensions for Photos for Mac. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Tuesday, September 20th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2:30 pm in Newfoundland. Check here and it'll show your local … [Read more...] about Live: Mastering Photos for Mac Extensions with Mykii Liu and Richard Harrington
Drobo 5N User Review–It’ll Make You A Superhero
12You've probably had the experience of a client calling with an urgent need for a photo that you have in your image library (which, of course, is safely backed up using a Drobo or other RAID/NAS system). You'd be happy to help your client, but the picture is on the drive at the office, or at home, and you're traveling and won't be back for a week. Normally, you'd have to say, "I'm sorry, I can't help you until Monday." However, if you're using the Drobo 5N, you've got a solid way to help your client and solidify yourself as a superhero in … [Read more...] about Drobo 5N User Review–It’ll Make You A Superhero
Live: Mastering Photos for Mac Extensions with Mykii Liu and Richard Harrington
You gotta join us live for our next Live Webinar, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away two copies of Athentech's new extensions for Photos for Mac. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Tuesday, September 20th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2:30 pm in Newfoundland. Check here and it'll show your local … [Read more...] about Live: Mastering Photos for Mac Extensions with Mykii Liu and Richard Harrington
Apple’s New iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Cameras
Apple have just announced the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Of course, we're most interested in the camera(s) specs. iOS 10 Shoots RAW That's right, now you can shoot RAW photos on your iPhone, and it doesn't even require buying a new phone. Some other phones already shoot RAW, but this is new to iOS. Adobe Lightroom Mobile is already optimized for working on RAW photos, and Apple said these new phones are perfect for it. iOS 10 should be available September 13th. 12-Megapixel Sensors and Performance The iPhone 6s also had a … [Read more...] about Apple’s New iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Cameras
Lightroom Live: 2 Minute Miracles with Nicolesy
You gotta join us live for our next Lightroom Live, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Thursday, September 8th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2:30 pm in Newfoundland. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: 2 Minute Miracles with Nicolesy
Good Cropping = Good Service
Modern headshots are often horizontal and cropped close, leaving the top of the head out of the frame. I prefer this style and am always cutting off the top of the head. It makes sense to me to put the eyes in the upper third of the frame and on a horizontal portrait that leaves little room for excess hair. Peter Hurley discusses this extensively in his book. However, sometimes my modern artistic vision clashes with my client's needs. If my client doesn't get what they need from our shoot, then no matter how good the pictures are, I've given … [Read more...] about Good Cropping = Good Service
Lightroom Live: 2 Minute Miracles with Nicolesy
You gotta join us live for our next Lightroom Live, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Thursday, September 8th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2:30 pm in Newfoundland. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: 2 Minute Miracles with Nicolesy
Change Perspective to Make Better Photos
If something is worth photographing, it's probably worth photographing from multiple angles. It's easy to start high, at eye-level, because that's how you see the world. Most photographers arrive on location and immediately extend their tripod legs to bring the camera to eye-level. This is the most comfortable place to shoot and you should definitely make a picture at eye-level. But you should also get down and see how low you can go. Get Down Low Lowering your tripod will give you a whole new photograph. If you told me I had to shoot … [Read more...] about Change Perspective to Make Better Photos
New Canon 5D Mark IV: Canon Announces New Features
Canon has announced the new 5D Mark IV, and it's got some terrific new features. Let's first take a look at the official launch video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z9089048wk What New Gear Was Announced Here's a list of all the new gear that was announced (it's already on sale too). Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera (Body Only) Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera with 24-105mm f/4L II Lens Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera with 24-70mm f/4L Lens Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM … [Read more...] about New Canon 5D Mark IV: Canon Announces New Features
How to Transfer or Share Perfectly Clear User Presets
Getting a new computer is both wonderful and completely frustrating. The new machine's speed is marvelous, but getting all your settings, presets and preferences setup is enough to drive you crazy. The following steps will help get your Perfectly Clear presets installed on your new machine. You can also use these steps to transfer your presets to your other computer, or share them with a friend. It's super simple. (For instruction on making presets and using Perfectly Clear, click here.) All you have to do is open Perfectly Clear, and click … [Read more...] about How to Transfer or Share Perfectly Clear User Presets
Live: Modern Sports Portraits with Vanelli
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Friday, August 19th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2:30 pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. This Month: … [Read more...] about Live: Modern Sports Portraits with Vanelli
Camera Bag Review: Borealis Backpack, from Mountainsmith
Let's cut straight to it: the Mountainsmith Borealis is a very fine backpack, and it's a very fine camera bag. It's exceptionally well made, logically designed by people who clearly know what photographers need, and I think it'll last a lifetime. I've got just a few caveats, but this is a good backpack. Lifetime Construction I've owned Mountainsmith bags since I was a young mountaineer in Colorado, which is where Mountainsmith are headquartered. I've been using one of their bags for 20 years, and it's still going strong. The reason these … [Read more...] about Camera Bag Review: Borealis Backpack, from Mountainsmith
Live: Modern Sports Portraits with Vanelli
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Friday, August 19th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2:30 pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. This Month: … [Read more...] about Live: Modern Sports Portraits with Vanelli
Two Simple Ways to Protect Photos on Travels
Photographing while travelling is a joy, and you'll make many of your best pictures when you're visiting somewhere new and are inspired by the culture and events. You may also have the opportunity to travel and shoot for clients. Either way, you need to make sure you get your photos home and keep them safe along the way. Here are some ideas to help you get it done without a big hassle. Keep It Simple There are volumes written on data management and backup, and you should read those. The most important thing about data management is keeping … [Read more...] about Two Simple Ways to Protect Photos on Travels
Lightroom Hangout: Lies Cameras Tell Part II
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday, August 1st at 2:00 pm Eastern, 1:00 pm Central, 12:00 am Mountain, and 11:00 am Pacific. 3:30 pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. This … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout: Lies Cameras Tell Part II
Easier Masking with Photoshop’s New Select & Mask Taskspace
Photoshop has a new update (CC2015.5) and it includes a remarkable new selection tool interface called the Select and Mask Taskspace. Selections and masks allow you to isolate your subject from the rest of a photo and are a fun way to create composites or make adjustments to only that portion of the picture. But, creating selections around things like hair and fur can be difficult. The new tools help make it a lot easier. I plan to use this tool for removing a person from the background, which I frequently need to do for the Steve Jobs … [Read more...] about Easier Masking with Photoshop’s New Select & Mask Taskspace
Go Make A Panorama
You should make a lot more panoramic photographs. It's a great way to capture a larger view of the world, and you don't need to buy a new lens. In fact, you'll find that a panorama gives a better view than simply using a wide angle lens because the objects far away are not diminished as much as they are with a wide angle lens. There are many options for stitching the pieces of the panorama together. For my work, I've found Lightroom is usually adequate, and Photoshop does it a little better. Those who make a living selling panoramas often … [Read more...] about Go Make A Panorama
Lightroom Hangout: Lies Cameras Tell Part II
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday, August 1st at 2:00 pm Eastern, 1:00 pm Central, 12:00 am Mountain, and 11:00 am Pacific. 3:30 pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. This … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout: Lies Cameras Tell Part II
How to Compensate for a Lightweight Tripod
Maybe you're on a trip and you only brought a lightweight tripod, or maybe you were seduced into buying that cheap tripod that came in a package with your camera. Either way, you'll find that using a lightweight tripod often ruins the pictures you're trying to make. A tripod is supposed to be a steady platform for shooting, but if it's too light then a breeze can make the whole thing shake during an exposure and ruin the picture with movement blur. The following techniques will help you get the most from your lightweight tripod even in less … [Read more...] about How to Compensate for a Lightweight Tripod
“Street Photography: First Steps and Beyond” by Valerie Jardin
Valerie Jardin's latest book is exactly what you need to get started with the wonderful genre of street photography, and it's a perfect refresher course for those with experience. Jardin is an energetic and passionate teacher who leads workshops for street photography in places like Paris and Chicago and when you read her book you'll feel that passion and it'll excite you to get out and shoot. The book is well organized and it is simple to read, yet it maintains an intelligent voice. Jardin's photography fills the book and the examples are … [Read more...] about “Street Photography: First Steps and Beyond” by Valerie Jardin
First Impressions: Hasselblad’s Mirrorless X1D
Hasselblad has made some of the finest cameras since the 1950's, and their newest camera looks like it fits with their reputation for quality and simplicity. The recently announced X1D stands out from all other medium format cameras because it is mirrorless and includes all the latest technology treats I've come to rely upon. Today I got my hands on it at Pro Photo Supply in Portland, OR, and I'm ready to share my initial impressions. You can check out all the specs here, so I'll tell you about the stuff you don't get reading the brochures. To … [Read more...] about First Impressions: Hasselblad’s Mirrorless X1D
Lightroom Hangout: Fine Art Flowers with Anne Belmont
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday July 18th at 12:00 pm Eastern, 11:00 am Central, 10:00 am Mountain, and 9:00 am Pacific. 1:30 pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. This Month: Fine … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout: Fine Art Flowers with Anne Belmont
ON1’s Photo RAW Project
ON1 recently announced their upcoming software, Photo RAW, and it sounds like it may be a really good solution for most photographers (read more about the features here). They are striving to make the best RAW photo editor, which is a big claim. However, they've just announced a project that makes it look possible. The Photo RAW Project is intended to gather and develop tools that will meet that the needs and desires of us photographers. To that end, ON1 are inviting everyone to suggest ideas, and when enough people support the idea, they … [Read more...] about ON1’s Photo RAW Project
Plan for the Solar Eclipse, Aug 21, 2017
When the sun and the moon and the earth line up with the moon in the middle it makes a solar eclipse. This happens from time to time, but since the moon is so small, you have to be in just the right place on Earth to see a total eclipse where the sun is completely obscured. I saw a partial eclipse in 2014, and that was incredible. But our American readers are in for a real treat because next August 21st there will be a total eclipse in much of the United States. Thanks to a note from my friends at the Eastern Idaho Photographic Society, we've … [Read more...] about Plan for the Solar Eclipse, Aug 21, 2017
SpiderLight Hand Strap Mini Review
Spider Holster has been innovating the way photographers carry cameras for years. Their line of holsters takes the burden of a heavy camera off your neck and puts it on your hips, where the largest bones and muscles in your body carry all the weight. Last year, they added the SpiderPro Hand Strap to the lineup. It takes the weight of the camera off your fingers and allows your whole arm to lend support. I've been using the hand strap for more than a year, and the holsters for more than three years and my body appreciates the way they shift the … [Read more...] about SpiderLight Hand Strap Mini Review
Lightroom Hangout: Fine Art Flowers with Anne Belmont
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Monday July 18th at 12:00 pm Eastern, 11:00 am Central, 10:00 am Mountain, and 9:00 am Pacific. 1:30 pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. This Month: Fine … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout: Fine Art Flowers with Anne Belmont
The Best Photographers Practice Finishing
Practicing with your tools on daily pictures will make you a better photographer when it counts. Having your camera with you isn't enough to make you a better photographer. You need to practice finishing your photographs just as much as making them in the camera. A well composed and exposed photo is only half done. As I photographed these coneflowers, today, I knew I'd need to use HDR techniques in order to reveal the details in the center and maintain rich color in the petals. However, it was windy so there was no way to shoot a bracket of … [Read more...] about The Best Photographers Practice Finishing
