Have you ever wanted to drop on to the set of a top pro and see how things really run for a shoot? Don't miss Running a Professional Photo Shoot. Matthew Jordan Smith is going to join us live from Tokyo and walk us through some recent projects. Learn how to plan for a shoot, get practical tips on gear setup, and how to manage clients and talent during the shoot. We'll also explore tethering and onset processing using Lightroom and Perfectly Clear for instant access to polished photos. Join us for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free … [Read more...] about Free Webinar: Running a Professional Photo Shoot with Matthew Jordan Smith
Shooting
Staying Safe Around Wild Horses
I am fortunate to have several groups of wild horses and burros that live within a 20-minute drive of my home. They are one of my favorite subjects to photograph with the stark Nevada desert as a backdrop. While I did not own horses as a kid, I grew up around them and am very comfortable in their presence. Recently, I was reminded that most folks have no idea how to behave around horses. Too often, people assume they are gentle, docile creatures and many are. But, wild or domesticated, horses are half-ton animals who are built to bolt and, … [Read more...] about Staying Safe Around Wild Horses
Handling Difficult Family Members on Wedding Day
Let's be real. Weddings can be beyond challenging. There are enough things to worry about as a photographer (timelines always running behind, crummy lighting conditions, weather issues, creativity blocks) without having to worry about family members throwing yet another wrench into you plan A, B, C, D, or even plan E. Yet, throw wrenches they do! The sister bridesmaid that says "Oooh! I saw this cute photo on Pinterest where all the girls lined up in their robes. Oh we have to do that!" "Yeah!" cheer the other bridesmaids in the room. "That … [Read more...] about Handling Difficult Family Members on Wedding Day
The Final 2% – Intruder Cleanup Of Your Photographs
I have been talking about going to work to find that last two percent of every photograph that can be improved. In todays simple illustration Ill show you two images. The first is un-retouched. It features a cormorant and if you look closely at the bottom right of the image, you'll see another bird extended his wing into the shot at the last second. In the retouched image you'll see that I have removed the intruder by using the clone stamp and the patch tool. Its important to scan the edges of the frame in every photo you make. Look for … [Read more...] about The Final 2% – Intruder Cleanup Of Your Photographs
Being Prepared Makes all the Difference
I love the Boy Scout motto of Be Prepared. As a photographer that often means carrying extra batteries, a spare camera, and an extra memory card. But also knowing the location, and what conditions you'll be working under. Practice Ahead of Time We just recently moved into a house with a pool, and I have been eager to shoot in it. I was asked if we could hold a baptism celebration in our pool. It is winter here in San Diego, and the pool temperature has been hovering around 55 degrees. Too cold for daily practice. Underwater photography has a … [Read more...] about Being Prepared Makes all the Difference
Using your Children as Models
I often use my children as subjects before I have a big shoot scheduled. I will bring my children to the location, and have them help scout, pick angles and model for me. This provides valuable feedback on how the light and environment responds to my gear and settings and gives me the opportunity to review my images before the make or break day. Practice with New Gear I am a Canon shooter and a member of Canons professional services program. It is free to borrow lenses through this program. Last year, I borrowed a Canon 200mm F/2.0 lens. I was … [Read more...] about Using your Children as Models
Getting Started with HDR Shooting
I head out to Great Fall National Parks to walk you through HDR shooting. Have you tried to photograph the beauty of a scene but just can't capture its intensity or range? In this episode, I'm joined by special guest, Abba Shapiro explore the world of HDR photography. You will learn the benefits for using High Dynamic Range photography to capture all your breathtaking moments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDzPcbfX7eE In this video you will learn: The benefits of High Dynamic Range photography The camera settings needed to achieve HDR … [Read more...] about Getting Started with HDR Shooting
Cucoloris for Shadowed Texture
So often someone will take the time to light the talent to look great but forget to light the background and give the image some depth: One method is to use a Cucoloris. Some will refer to it a s a cookie cutter:The Cucoloris will create a shadowed texture onto your background depending on the distance the light source is from the Cucoloris. The general rule with light is that the closer the light the softer the light, the larger the light the softer the light. Allow me to show you this theory in practical application:As you can see in the … [Read more...] about Cucoloris for Shadowed Texture
Thoughts About Using A 2X Teleconverter In Photography
I have a love/hate relationship with teleconverters (also called telephoto extenders or telex tenders - TC.) When I was a young man and dead broke, I used them to try to get more focal length and hated the results. Then again, when I was young, the quality of the average teleconverter was horrible and my technique not much better. Now, decades later, teleconverters from manufacturers like Nikon and Canon are very, very good. (There are other good teleconverters from other manufacturers but I mention Nikon and Canon because I am most familiar … [Read more...] about Thoughts About Using A 2X Teleconverter In Photography
Book Review: Rick Sammon’s Creative Visualization for Photographers
Rick Sammon has a super power: he makes any photographic technique or concept simple to understand. It's really an incredible talent he has cultivated, and he turns it loose to help photographers. He's been teaching a long time, and his latest book is a culmination of a lifetime of learning, shooting, and teaching. Rick Sammon's Creative Visualization for Photographers teaches us how to view the world with photographic eyes. This is a book everyone can learn from, and I'd highly recommend it for beginners and intermediate photographers, but … [Read more...] about Book Review: Rick Sammon’s Creative Visualization for Photographers
Photographing La Jolla Cove’s Brown Pelican Colony
I was lucky enough recently to get another opportunity to photograph California Brown Pelicans, a subspecies of P. occidentalis, - the smallest member of the pelican family at LaJolla Cove near San Diego. On and off over the last 20 years Ive visited this location during the second/third week of January when the pelicans are reliably in the peak of their breeding plumage and at no time have I been disappointed. You may see the birds here in breeding plumage anytime between December and February. The pelican colony lives along the craggy … [Read more...] about Photographing La Jolla Cove’s Brown Pelican Colony
Details Matter – Going The Last Mile For A Better Photograph
This is a short post aimed at helping photographers train their eye to demand the most out of every image. Its part of my new focus on working out the last two percent of a photo to get the great shot not just the good shot. I have two California Brown Pelicans here in breeding plumage. Both photos made on the same trip, in the same light, at virtually identical locations - at La Jolla Cove, in La Jolla, CA. At first glance these might appear to be the same bird - but there are two different birds. One bird is smaller, has less color, and … [Read more...] about Details Matter – Going The Last Mile For A Better Photograph
Photographing Birds – What NOT To Do
Most bird photographers will post their best images and let you know how cool it is to photograph birds - me included. But most bird photographers will NOT post the images that they screw up and I guess I didn't get that memo because I will. Sometimes you can learn more from mistakes than successes. In this short post Ill give you some ideas of what NOT to do when you photograph birds - or anything else most of the time. Mistake Number One | Composition Don't frame so tightly that you cut off part of the bird. Mistake Number Two | … [Read more...] about Photographing Birds – What NOT To Do
Lightroom Hangout: Lies Cameras Tell
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 2/15 at 2:00 pm Eastern, 1:00 pm Central, 12:00 pm Mountain, and 11:00 am Pacific. 3:30 pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. This Month: Conquering … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout: Lies Cameras Tell
Intermediate Depth-Of-Field Lesson – The Difference in DOF Between Wide & Telephoto Lenses
(Note the killdeer (Charadrius vociferous) picture used above was shot with a Canon 1D MK II N and Canon 600 f/4 IS lens with Canon 1.4 teleconverter (EFL 840mm) handheld laying on the ground and shot at f/8. The DOF was less than one inch at 26 feet - hence the VERY skinny DOF leaving the photo blurry in front of and behind the bird. FYI there was a big outhouse behind the bird about 100 feet away that just disappeared because of that skinny DOF.) This post is primarily aimed at people who use long glass - say 135mm and longer - but it will … [Read more...] about Intermediate Depth-Of-Field Lesson – The Difference in DOF Between Wide & Telephoto Lenses
Being a Weather-Savvy Photographer Part 3 – Going Mobile
In my past two articles I took a look behind the scenes at the National Weather Service with an introduction to the Forecast Discussion and severe weather alert products. The NWS web page is a buffet of weather information that should fill you up when you are planning to photograph outdoors in dynamic weather, but when you are actually out in the field you need more bite-size weather information. In this article I will share the weather-focused applications I use on my iPhone to keep abreast of the every-changing weather. While I use an iPhone, … [Read more...] about Being a Weather-Savvy Photographer Part 3 – Going Mobile
Being a Weather-Savvy Photographer Part 2 – Warnings, Watches and Advisories
In my previous article about the National Weather Service's Forecast Discussions I touched briefly on another set of products the NWS releases: outlooks, advisories, watches and warnings. These alerts are designed to help those planning on being out in the elements prepare for forecasted severe weather. Outdoor photographers can use these alerts to determine the best times and places to capture dramatic weather conditions, and learn when they should seek shelter from dangerous weather. Understanding the differences between the four types of … [Read more...] about Being a Weather-Savvy Photographer Part 2 – Warnings, Watches and Advisories
Don’t Waste Your Time: Light the Room
We all have times when were waiting for somethingmaybe the doctors office, or a meal at restaurant, or at the auto shopand many times we spend that time checking Instagram with our eyes glued to our phones. Id like to suggest a more productive use of your time that will exercise your mind and make you a better photographer. Light the Room When youre waiting around, engage your mind by lighting the room. Consider what it would take to make the room look good in a photograph, and then spice it up by adding the person youre waiting for to the … [Read more...] about Don’t Waste Your Time: Light the Room
Adjusting To Your Clients During Portrait Sessions
Our job as photographers is to capture the essence of our subjects. This involves adjusting to our clients and any given situation on a moments notice. A challenge is simply an opportunity. Recently, fellow photographer Toni Shaw shared her experience of working with an antsy client. Confined to the walls of her studio, her young subject a dancer was having trouble sitting still and taking directions during the shoot. This, in turn, was causing her to miss crucial shots. Behind the camera that day, Toni wracked her brain as to how she could … [Read more...] about Adjusting To Your Clients During Portrait Sessions
How to Photograph Anywhere
"My four-year-old daughter is making her first journey on an airplane later this week. I'm making a slideshow of pictures to show her how the process of flying works so that she won't be nervous when we go to the airport and board the plane. May I make a picture of you to include and show her how nice people are at the airport?" That's been my opening line as I run into people doing their jobs at airports around the country for the last few weeks, and as I share some of the pictures from my travels on social media (search #AirportPhotowalk) I … [Read more...] about How to Photograph Anywhere
Got a New Camera? Take Control of Autofocus
If youre like me, you got a new camera and dove in, shooting like a madman and making all kinds of pictures of all kinds of things. After a few gazillion pictures, I was starting to figure out a few things about my camera and how it worked. I remember that my world really changed when I learned how to use control the autofocus. I stopped having soft focus pictures and pictures with the background sharp and started getting the tack-sharp focus I saw in others work. Focus is one of our most creative tools in photography. Its the power to draw … [Read more...] about Got a New Camera? Take Control of Autofocus
Being a Weather-Savvy Photographer
The Pacific Northwest is a veritable playground for outdoor photographers. In any given day I can photograph alpine landscapes, arid desert scablands, lush temperate rainforests and rugged ocean shorelines. One constant in our diverse region is the complex weather. As a native Northwesterner, I have always had a fascination with meteorology and with todays wealth of weather information at our fingertips, its easier than ever to be a weather-savvy outdoor enthusiast. Get Insider Information Straight From the National Weather Service Weather … [Read more...] about Being a Weather-Savvy Photographer
To Become A Better Wildlife Photographer – Learn More About Wildlife
As well-known nature photographer John Shaw says, To become a better photographer, become a better naturalist. Its just common sense. The more you learn about your subject, the better prepared you'll be to capture compelling images. This applies to all forms of photography but in this post Ill specifically discuss wildlife as the subject. There are complete college and university programs dedicated to the study of avian and wildlife biology. This blog post doesn't claim to come close to that objective. But it is worth discussing even briefly, … [Read more...] about To Become A Better Wildlife Photographer – Learn More About Wildlife
Behind the Scenes of Florida Tech’s Evan Ryan Photo Shoot
Take a look behind the scenes on set with Vanelli as he shoots Florida Tech senior lacrosse player Evan Ryan. Vanelli starts by setting the stage and getting to know Evan. He then builds a set and brings in a few speedlights to light the scene. For the last pose, Vanelli adds in water and smoke effects to the scene for the ultimate sports portrait image. https://youtu.be/9-2VVFhX3SI Featured Gear Nikon D700 Sigma 85mm f1.4 lens Westcott Strip Boxes with grids Westcott Rapid Box Octa … [Read more...] about Behind the Scenes of Florida Tech’s Evan Ryan Photo Shoot
No Sippy Cups here, just Baby Plates
Some of the most used tools on a Hollywood set are C-Stands and Apple Boxes. Then there are these little babies, Baby Plates. What is a Baby Plate you ask? It's a 5/8 stud, about 3" tall, welded onto a 3.5" x 6" metal plate. It has many uses. Allow me to share a few of those that I've used on the set. One of the most common uses for a Baby Plate is a very low light stand:It has a very solid feel and is very stable for most strobe heads. As you can see in the picture, this Baby Plate has 8 holes in its base. Some will have 4. The purpose for … [Read more...] about No Sippy Cups here, just Baby Plates
How I Made The Shot – Eagle & Boat At Sunset
On my last trip to Alaska we had some great sunsets and on the day I made this image we had a beautiful orange glow in the sky. I saw this Coast Guard supply ship in the distance and I realized that it was going to pass right under the sun. I also saw a flock of eagles fishing nearby, so I asked the captain of our small boat to position us so that I could shoot directly into the sun in an attempt to line up the boat with the reflection from the sun. Because there were lots of eagles in the vicinity, I also knew there was a slight chance that … [Read more...] about How I Made The Shot – Eagle & Boat At Sunset
3 Mountaineering Tips for Your Camera Bag
mountaineer noun mountaineer \?mau?n-t?-?nir\ 1: a native or inhabitant of a mountainous region 2: a person who climbs mountains for sport When I was a kid, I was a mountaineer, and I spent all my time studying mountaineering. You'd be surprised how much thought has gone into mountaineering. I learned techniques for everything from how to walk down a hill to how correctly use Velcro. Mountaineers are manic about their equipment, and some of those skills have served me well in Photography, too. Here are three essential habits surrounding bags … [Read more...] about 3 Mountaineering Tips for Your Camera Bag
How to Use HDR for Nighttime Photography
Making pictures at nighttime can be challenging. Parts of a picture that are lit with street lamps or other lights are very bright compared to the darkness of the sky or the shadows under trees and porches. This scene is described as having a high dynamic rangethe difference between light and shadow is very great. This is the reason we have HDR tools for photography. Let me show you how I used HDR techniques to make a picture at nighttime. Bracket While photowalking with a terrific group in Austin, Texas, I wanted to make a picture of the … [Read more...] about How to Use HDR for Nighttime Photography
10 Tips for New Drone Flyers
Drones are really a lot of fun once you safely learn to fly them. Here are a few important tips to help you get up and flying. I didn't list them in any particular order, so be sure to read through all of them before you get started. Know how to shut your drone off quickly! As youre learning to fly your drone, things can sometimes get out of control. The best thing to do is land the drone and shut it off. Practice just turning it on and off, without lifting it from the ground. Find a large, open area outside for your first flight. Its going … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for New Drone Flyers
Why Your Camera is Like a Faucet
Seems like an odd title to an article, right? Well, it's true! If you've ever thought about making the switch to exposing fully manually, but struggled to get apertures and shutter speeds to do what you want them to do, all you need to do is to remember that your camera is just like a faucet. Suppose you are thirsty and have a glass of water you'd like to fill up. When you turn your faucet on just a little bit, it takes a long time to fill up as it trickles in. If you're in a hurry, what do you do? You twist the knob all the way open so the … [Read more...] about Why Your Camera is Like a Faucet
