This week, Andrew Ford kicked things off by showcasing the top 10 most photogenic presidents in U.S. history. Then, Joy Celine Asto brought us back to the summers of old with a great project that looks provides a bit of nostalgia.
Jemma Pollari gave us three ideas for perfect fall family photos, and Darren Miles told us why he’s ordering the new Nikon Z 6II. Finally, Lauri Novak provided a first look into her favorite courses of the 5DayDeal — where you can get over $2700 worth of photo education for just $89!
The top 10 most photogenic U.S. presidents - With the election around the corner, wouldn’t it be fun to rank the top 10 most photogenic U.S. presidents? I thought so, too. First, to be photogenic, a president had to be photographed a few times. Not only that, but I had to be able to find the photos online and they needed to carry rights to be used in this article. Finally, I expanded the definition of photogenic to be more than just attraction in photographs. I took into account the president’s presence, mannerism, features, emotive qualities and of course the impression on the viewer. As you will see, some presidents were chosen for numerous profound reasons, while others were picked for a singular fun quality. 10. Gerald Ford I have to admit, it was hard to pick number 10. There were a few good candidates, but a lack of quality photos pushed them out of the rankings. Gerald Ford had photos that showed his personality evolve over the years. In his college days, Ford exuded confidence as a Michigan Wolverines football player. That confidence turned into determination in his visit to Saigon. And while in the White House, photos caught glimpses of his humorous and down-to-earth side. 9. Rutherford B. Hayes One word: Beard. This beard IS photogenic and captures the grittiness and rawness of the era perfectly. This beard conveys a no-nonsense approach. Hayes once accepted the nomination to run for the House of Representatives, but refused to campaign because his sense of duty as a military officer was so important that he wouldn’t leave his post to be an electioneer. This beard was also at the center of national controversy. In the 1876 presidential election versus Samuel Tilden, Hayes lost the popular vote, but three states’ electoral votes were contested. Hayes needed every electoral vote from these states to win by one. A 15-member committee was made to rule on the electoral votes. The committee had eight Republicans and seven Democrats. The vote, shockingly, was 8-7 and Hayes was made President. 8. Ulysses S. Grant Moving down our list, and moving down in beard length, we come to Ulysses S. Grant. His military photos capture the determination of a leader. In his later years, we see a sense of accomplishment in his gaze. While life wasn’t always easy for Grant, I like how these photos capture a distinguished look despite being typical poses of the day. 7. Abraham Lincoln Lincoln had an interesting look to say the least. What I note most about Lincoln’s photos is how he dominates the scene. Your gaze is drawn to him. In a way, that makes him photogenic. Is it because of his elongated figure made even taller by his trusty hat? Regardless, his ability to steal the show in a photo seems unparalleled in his time. Gazing into Lincoln’s portrait, I can’t help but feel a small sense of understanding of what he went through. Even with a stern look, his face speaks out. Perhaps it bears all the trials of keeping a country together amidst strong opposition. Perhaps it shows a humbled sense of accomplishment from rising out of absolute poverty to become one of the most respected presidents ever. 6. George H.W. Bush From a confident young soccer player to a reflective senior flashing a contagious smile, George H.W. Bush lived a full life. To me, he makes the list because of his later years. Photos capture a man that has made peace with past mistakes and will happily work with anyone toward a good cause. I feel a genuine humanitarian sentiment and a love of life when I view some of these photos. Kindness is truly a photogenic quality. 5. George W. Bush Like father like son, as they say. George W. Bush flashed a kind smile just like his dad. Politics aside, you saw a like-able demeanor portrayed in the photos. People may argue about his naivety, but no one can argue about his approachability. In photos, he seems like someone you could reach out to have a beer with or that would lend a helping hand to a neighbor. Simply stated, he appears happy-go-lucky and genuine, which is another photogenic quality. 4. Ronald Reagan Being a movie star should qualify you for a good ranking. But besides his Hollywood appeal, Ronald Reagan’s photos reveal a leader. Even working as the Chicago Cubs announcer in the 1930s didn’t get him down. As president of his college student body, the screen actors’ guild and of course a country, Reagan’s photos capture a steady, confident look. Two years into his presidency, you can see the look of accomplishment appear. 3. Barack Obama Barack Obama was a groundbreaking president and a recent president, so perhaps that’s why his photos are so plentiful. What I like about his photos is you see the hope, the passion and the purpose that he embraced in his speeches. You also see him roll up his sleeves when it’s time to talk about getting work done. A great orator with a genuine smile, you rarely see an Obama photo where he is feeling down. And while that’s remarkable given the situation, the photos do capture the toll the office takes on one’s body. The final photo below shows another hallmark of being photogenic – even without showing your face, you create a recognizable and dramatic photography moment. 2. Theodore Roosevelt Wow, I bet you weren’t expecting this one, but I had to add a little drama to the list since you probably know who the #1 president is going to be. While Teddy isn’t the most dapper president, he was photogenic in many other ways. He was rugged, confident and tough. His trademark spectacles add whimsy. I think his photographic character developed as he aged. Roosevelt was also outdoorsy, so his photos often took place in some of our country’s most beautiful settings. In fact, his actions to preserve our pristine natural areas are a leading reason why nature photographers have places
Four reasons why I’m ordering a Nikon Z 6II - Did you hear the news about the new Z 6II camera? Nikon’s announcement was met with a collective yawn, but in spite of that, I’ll likely order the newest camera from Nikon. Here are four reasons why. 1. Adaptable lenses I am heavily invested in Nikon glass and have been waiting for a Nikon mirrorless body that will allow me to use my legacy Nikon glass. I recently waded into Nikon Z territory with the Z 5, and I love it! The FTZ adapter works nearly flawlessly and if my experience with the z5 is any indication, I can’t wait to get my hands on the Z 6II. Changing systems is never easy and this move by Nikon will allow me to stay with the system. 2. 4K/60p video Sure, this feels a bit like “me too” and I usually shoot 1080 at 60 frames. Most of the videos I produce are viewed on cell phone sized screens, but I do like having the option to “punch in” in an interview video without losing sharpness in my image. Not having 4K60p isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but it is a “nice to have.” Note: 4K60p will be available in a future firmware update for the Z 6II. 3. Eye AF that promises to be on par with Canon and Sony Nikon’s been a laggard in the autofocus department. However, I’ve been using the Z 5 with adapted legacy and 3rd party lenses, and AF has impressed me. As a result, my confidence in Nikon’s ability to be on par with Canon and Sony has been reassured. Canon and Sony have sucked up most of the oxygen in the room with the R5/R6 and a7S III respectively, but thus far, I’ve been very impressed with the Z 5. Which makes me a believer in the Z 6II. 4. Yup, you guessed it — dual card slots This was the number one reason why I didn’t buy the original Z 6 or Z 7. It’s also why I bought the Z 5. I photograph weddings and I simply can’t live without two card slots. It’s a chance I’m not willing to take. Cameras with one memory card slot are a deal breaker for me. I wish Nikon went with dual SD slots, but I’m OK with the CFexpress and single SD slot — except right now, CFexpress cards are outrageously expensive. Like anything, they’ll eventually come down in price. Now that said, I admit there’s not much groundbreaking here with this announcement. However, I feel like Nikon’s done just enough to keep long time users like me to remain with Nikon. Bottom line? I’m going to take the plunge and order a Z 6II. What say you?
Ready to get started with 5DayDeal? My top five educational courses to check out - 5DayDeal is at it again. They continue to offer amazing educational opportunities, videos, tutorials, presets, LUTs, actions and magazines. All of this for a great price of $89! You should act quickly though as this deal is only available through October 20, 2020. Whether you’re a beginner, hobbyist or a seasoned pro, there is something here for everyone. Here are my five favorite 5DayDeal courses: Chris O’Donnell — Tone & Detail for Adobe Lightroom Learn the ins and outs of contrast, luminosity and color, as well as how they work together. The end goal is to enhance our photographs by adjusting your luminosity, contrast and color in your images. Chris goes a bit deeper and discusses how tone and detail affect your images. He also helps you understand why these things are important which is an important part of the photographic process. Chris offers very comprehensive lessons on curves, tonal adjustments, luminosity and color control. There is an in-depth section on the histogram and how to use it in your processing. After these lessons, you’ll know exactly which sliders you need to adjust for your image. This course is a deep dive into definitions, how to enhance contrast, how color affects contrast and luminosity. He discusses the difference between luminance and luminosity and lightness and brightness. Chris walks you through example images to show you exactly how to use tone and detail to enhance a scene. This is definitely a course you’ll go back to over and over. It’s very detailed and will help you take your photos to the next level. Chris also offers a free course on how to develop a creative workflow in the darkroom as a bonus for purchasing the 5DayDeal. Joel Grimes — One Light Masterclass Joel takes you through his thought process, techniques, tips and tricks that he uses when creating his one light portraits. Included in this course are case studies, a couple of cheat sheets and so much lighting information you’ll want to watch it several times. Joel takes the technical side and instead of teaching it from that perspective, he takes lighting and teaches it in a more intuitive and creative way. Joel starts with the basics of how light works and effects an image. He then takes you through how he approaches different situations and shows examples of how to set up your lighting. You’ll then go along with Joel as he takes you along on a couple of photoshoots so you can watch what he does. Finally, he’ll walk you through the retouching process. Scott Kelby — Beginners Start Here If you are just starting out, really want to go back to basics to learn things you missed or relearn some of what you don’t always remember or think about, this series of nine videos is perfect for that. Scott takes you through the most basic camera settings, from getting off auto mode all the way through how to get tack sharp images, exposure and lenses. No matter what camera you have, he covers the topics you need to know to get started. What I really like about this course is Scott’s matter of fact, here’s what you need to know approach. He’s talking to you just as he would if you’re out shooting together. There are sections where he takes you along on a shoot to show you what to do. The subject matter is always simply explained and examples are shown. Ryan Dyar — Capture the Night It seems like so many of my photographer friends have started getting into night photography more and more. Because of that, I was drawn toward this course by Ryan Dyar. He takes you through example images to show you what works and how to best capture images at night. He walks you through his post-processing steps and includes practice files included so you can practice and learn yourself. There is also a Photoshop dodge and burn action to download and use. If you’re interested in photographing the aurora borealis, a course by Arild Heitmann is also included with this bundle. Besides the incredible images, Arild takes you through his process for how he photographs and also how he processes his northern lights images. There is both theory and processing explained in this course. You’ll also receive practice images and a Photoshop shortcuts cheat sheet to download. These are both bucket list photography genres and subjects for me. Ryan and Arild both have shared so many great tips and tricks in their courses. I’ll be saving them for when I get to cross these off that list of mine. Gavin Hardcastle — Composition Made Easy We all know that the key to creating a great image is a killer composition. It’s a basic principle in photography to learn and understand. Whether you’re just starting out or could use a little refresher, it never hurts to learn about composition basics. In this course, Gavin takes you through the steps you need to take in order to create more compelling compositions in your own photography. He breaks it down and simplifies it so it’s very easy to understand using both live footage and still image examples. Watch this course and you’ll start asking yourself the right questions before you press that shutter. I really enjoyed the back to basics nature of it. There’s so much more There are so many more courses, videos, presets and freebies that you’ll receive when you purchase the 5DayDeal photography bundle. I bought a bundle a few years ago and still refer back to the information I received! It’s definitely an incredible value for the price; you get over $2700 in value for just $89! To learn more, visit the 5DayDeal website.
Youthful summer memories in nostalgic black and white - Summer photos evoke a lot of memories for all of us — either in vibrant color or gritty black and white, and whether we’re looking at them from our phones or family photo albums. There’s something about the distinct imagery of trips, experiences, and scenes immortalized in every shot that strongly radiates nostalgia. I find that the monochrome memories in a body of work by Munich-based Skander Khlif makes a great example. If you’re in the mood to relieve your own summer memories, especially in your youth, this series shot in Tunisia will surely delight you. As a documentary photographer, he leans toward documenting life in public spaces to reveal beauty everywhere, whether it’s an intriguing situation, a humorous scene or moving moments. He usually works with geometric shapes and colors to tell his stories, but in this particular series, he still does really well to bring an evocative narrative without them. Of youth and the seaside In the last decade, topics and themes centered around youth and youth culture have been especially popular among photographers of all genres and styles. This series, aptly titled “Growing up Braving the Sea,” provides a documentary approach to the topic and gives it a classic feel. As with many black and white photography projects, it draws our eyes to the way the light, shadows and contrast tell the story and conveys the mood both in each shot and the series as a whole. Whenever we think of the beach, we immediately think of the many different ways to use colors to paint the energy and emotions of seaside scenes. However, the absence of color still enhanced the feeling of nostalgia in the entire collection. The ideas of youth as fleeting and summer memories eventually fading are the focus of this body of work, and I think Skander executed it perfectly. Powerful compositions and effective juxtapositions Another important detail to note is how shooting in black and white allowed Skander to showcase his knack for powerful compositions. I especially like how he made use of negative space, patterns and angles to lead our eyes to what’s happening in each shot or emphasize the subject in the frame. His use of contrast is also effective in heightening the mood in the series and bringing out the shapes and textures in each shot. I also find his juxtapositions impressive as he was able to draw our attention to subtle comparisons and dynamic scenes — scars that look like ripples. His entire approach actually adds another dimension to the usual summer snapshots or beach scenes, making this series an outstanding example for those who want to give a documentary quality to their portrayal of different seasons. Don’t forget to visit Skander Khlif’s website and Behance portfolio to see more of this series and the rest of his work. All photos by Skander Khlif. Used with Creative Commons permission.
Three easy ideas for family photos this fall - As the leaves change and the kids get excited for Halloween, fall is a beautiful time for family photos. The colors will keep you warm all winter! Use the intervalometer on your camera for leafy shots An intervalometer trips the shutter on repeat (e.g. once every two seconds), and this is a fun method to capture fast-moving events like throwing leaves in the air when you’re not behind the camera to take the shot at exactly the right moment. It also keeps your hands free (unlike a single-shot remote). Most recent camera models include an intervalometer setting built in. If not, you can pick them up cheap. It’s not always that I recommend throwing stuff at your expensive camera, but falling leaves are the perfect opportunity to capture movement in your family photos. Set up your intervalometer and pop the camera on a tripod. Have everyone sit under the tree, gather up a big handful of leaves and throw in time with the shutter going off. Repeat several times and then choose your favorite photo from those captured. Look for photo opportunities on family outings Need to pick up pumpkins for Halloween? Take the kids and the camera and capture the adventure. You might like to get permission from the venue in advance, and offer to share the photos to them for use on their social media. This is a great one for those Christmas tree shopping excursions, too! As well as the scenery and setting, don’t forget to photograph the fun. This is making childhood memories at its finest. Enhance the colors of the season Once you get your photos off your camera and onto your computer, develop your images with the colors of the season in mind. Use the HSL (hue, saturation, luminosity) panel in Lightroom to shift aqua hues toward green, green hues toward yellow, and yellow hues toward orange. The above is what I start with: have a play and once you’re happy with the results, sync your settings across the rest of your photos. Or, create your own preset to use the settings over and over. For more ideas on capturing autumn colors, check out Sara’s tips here.
