Adjusting a heavy light attached to a c-stand doesn’t have to acquire a lot of strength. Here’s a simple tip to help you move the light up or down without much effort. Stand on the Longest Leg This is a very short and simple tip. When lowering or raising a light on a c-stand, place one foot on the longest leg of the c-stand. This will give you leverage to raise the light and prevent it from falling over. This will also work with conventional lights stands by lightly standing on the bar of the front leg. (Editor's Note: C-Stands made by … [Read more...] about Studio Tip: How to Adjust a Light on a C-Stand
photography
Photographer of the Day: Rafa Velazquez
Category: Street Photography Photograph: "Amigos en Pedraza. Segovia. Spain" by Rafa Velazquez Even if you aren't fluent in Spanish, you probably know that "amigos" means friends. In this image by Rafa Velazquez, titled "Amigos en Pedraza", we see just that. Two young friends, hanging out, having fun together. The beauty of this image is it combines something we can all relate to, with a place we may not be familiar with. Framed in the archway, the light illuminates them just enough that we understand the scene, but leaves them in just … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Rafa Velazquez
Photographer of the Day: P Sterling Images
Category: Street Photography Photograph: Friday night in the City.... by P Sterling Images The two composition concepts that I find appealing and done well in this photo are the use of selective color and motion. In P Sterling's image "Friday night in the City…" the photographer has successfully captured a still photo that presents us with a lively scene full of motion and energy. It perfectly captures the street vibe of a busy Friday night. Selective color is one of those post-processing techniques that has become almost cliché, but when … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: P Sterling Images
What’s the budget? V/S What’s the risk?
If a potential one can't, or more likely, won't answer the "what's the budget?" question; it seems a good possibility that the job isn't real. Often, "What's the budget?" isn't the right question. Price When a project is conceived, there is likely a dollar amount to produce it floating around in someone's mind. A potential client with an idea of an amount of "spend" is worth pursuing. One that says "Give me a price and I'll tell you if it will work" is probably not an opportunity. Time invested in producing a proposal for the former is … [Read more...] about What’s the budget? V/S What’s the risk?
Lab Luminosity Masks
Editor's Note: Lee presents a very powerful way of enhancing color and sharpening an image in this post. The video that concludes this post is an excellent tutorial with step by step instructions and explanations. These are advanced techniques. Here I submit, for your consideration, this step-by-step video on using Lab channels as the source for luminosity masks. This type of masking is all the rage right now, and you can find many tutorials about the general procedure all over the internet. There are even action that automatically generate … [Read more...] about Lab Luminosity Masks
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Three Tips For Making Videos
Video clips are one of the best ways to both record memories and bring a little extra cash. Mirrorless cameras are ideal for making videos, but shooting video is very different from shooting still photographs. If you haven't read Richard Harrington's articles about making videos, then it's time you started doing that (here're a bunch to get you started). But there are three simple things you can do to start making better quality video clips, and good quality video clips can be monetized with Adobe Stock, which is pretty cool. Shutter Speed is … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Three Tips For Making Videos
Avoid These Tripod Trip Ups!
Most photographers will tell you that a good tripod is one of the most important equipment investments you can make for your photography. But, just owning one isn't enough to give you better pictures. You have to have the right one to fit your photography, as well as know how to use it properly. For as much time as we spend discussing and dissecting our settings, we often don't think about the physical mechanics of how we take pictures. Over the years of running photo workshops and pursuing my own photos, I have seen many mistakes and … [Read more...] about Avoid These Tripod Trip Ups!
Problem Solving | Photofocus Podcast | October 2nd, 2017
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/problem-solving-photofocus-podcast-october-2nd-2017 This month we focus on... focus! That is, right after our eclipse wrap-up. Links from the show: Photomatix Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/hdrsoft Pepper’s San Francisco Eclipse Photos: www.pepperazzi.photos The story of the epic eclipse photo by Andrew Studer and Ted Hesser is here. Levi Sim links www.levisim.com instagram.com/photolevi Pepper's links. www.panoramanetwork.com instagram.com/rpepper Have suggestions or … [Read more...] about Problem Solving | Photofocus Podcast | October 2nd, 2017
5 Excuses for Not Buying a RAID Backup
Imagine losing every image you have ever taken of your child, your wife, a family member that has passed away, that beautiful sunset in Hawaii, all of your client’s images...you get the point. Are you feeling sick to your stomach, especially knowing it could have been prevented? The good news, it’s not too late. If you have more than 6TB of data, you need to invest in a RAID backup. Here are 5 common excuse people make for not buying a RAID Backup and 5 solutions to help you make the right choice. 1. I Don't Understand Why I Need a RAID … [Read more...] about 5 Excuses for Not Buying a RAID Backup
Why Long Exposure Photography?
Editor's Note: This is a guest post by Leanne Cole, an incredible photographer from Melbourne, Australia. See more of her work here, and we hope to see more education from her in the future. Please welcome Leanne to Photofocus. If you look on social media you will find hundreds, thousands of images that are classed as long exposures. Instagram alone has almost 3.5 million images that use the hashtag #longexposure which helps to show how popular it is. There are many reasons why it is as well. What is a Long Exposure? In simple terms, it … [Read more...] about Why Long Exposure Photography?
How to up your social media engagement
After the first couple times, I was asked about how I have such good engagement on social media, I disregarded the questions because I didn’t feel like my social media following was that big of a deal. Many other’s have much more followers and engagement, or so I thought. When one of my friends who runs several Instagram accounts with thousands of followers asked me how my engagement was so high, I literally looked at her confused. I admired her following. Then when my followers started asking me advice on what I do, I actually ignored their … [Read more...] about How to up your social media engagement
Photographer of the Day: Emanuele UbOldi
Category: Street Photography Photograph: Untitled by Emanuele UbOldi You can’t help but be drawn to the face of the child in this untitled image by Emanuele UbOldi. Everything in the scene focuses your attention there, and although small in the frame, this little one becomes the center of attention. There are two subtle but strong concepts at play. First, the child is “sub framed”, with the steps acting as a frame, an effect repeated by the entryway and doors, creating a series of pictures within a picture. The other is color, the … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Emanuele UbOldi
Photographer of the Day: Edouard Ketterer
Category: Street Photography Photograph: L'homme du canal by Edouard Ketterer Minimalist photos are some of the most difficult to execute, but when done well, are some of my favorites. In Edouard Ketterer’s “L'homme du canal” we see the beauty of simplicity and geometry. There are only two triangles, the simplest of shapes in geometry. One person, one texture, and only black and white. But, it's the way these few simple elements have been woven together which creates an exceptional composition. The perfect balance and symmetry of two … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Edouard Ketterer
The Traveling Photographer: Seeing Things
Before leaving on a photography trip I always read a photography book that gets my creative juices flowing and my eyes and mind ready for new and exciting challenges. Joel Meyerowitz’s book “Seeing Things” is such a book. The book is labeled “A Kid’s Guide to Looking at Photographs”. I guess I am still a kid then, because it sure opened my eyes a bit bigger. For those who are not familiar with Joel Meyerowitz, he is an award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in over 350 exhibitions in galleries and museums around the world. He is … [Read more...] about The Traveling Photographer: Seeing Things
Seeing the Final Shot While Shooting
Do you ever see an image and wonder how the photographer got so lucky as to be in the right place, at the right time, with just the right lighting and just the right moment to capture the perfect image? It's not luck, well maybe once in awhile it is, but usually, it's work, being prepared and ready for that perfect image to happen in front of them, whether it's there, to begin with, or needs a little post processing help. Here are a few tips to help you be lucky and get that shot. Be Aware of Everything It’s impossible to be aware of every … [Read more...] about Seeing the Final Shot While Shooting
Lightroom Live: Wildlife & Nature with Jason Hahn
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, September 18th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Wildlife & Nature with Jason Hahn
A Photographer’s Take On iPhone X And iPhone 8
Apple has done it again: they've created new phones with significantly different features and some of the changes include new cameras and software cheats for "better" pictures. I've watched the Keynote and read the press releases, and here are my impressions of the new iPhone X and iPhone 8/8+. First of All... In the Keynote they said that these new camera phones will help you make better pictures, but I take issue with that statement. These new phones will provide better image quality than ever before from a super tiny camera that is really … [Read more...] about A Photographer’s Take On iPhone X And iPhone 8
Two Heads Are Better Than One – How to Deal with Bad Expressions
How to deal with the unfortunate facial expression in group portraits Ah... it's that time again! The time when we are challenged to capture the idealized family portrait to send out to friends and family. To help you along, I'd thought I'd share a technique for a common problem with group portraits. Most of the time, but especially with shots including babies, if you have more than one person in the shot, someone is not going to look as good as the others in the shot. The example below shows two images from a recent photo shoot I did of my … [Read more...] about Two Heads Are Better Than One – How to Deal with Bad Expressions
History of Photography: Oscar Rejlander
The battle for photography's place in the fine art world is a road that is long and seemingly never ending at times, even today. In the 1800's especially, photography struggled for a place at the table and one man, in particular, pushed the envelope: Oscar Gustave Rejlander. During the Victorian Era, photographic standards of art were mostly based on comparisons to painting. In other words, the photo had to look real, but not too real. Many photographers chose to use sub standard lenses, smudge the lenses or plates, and even introduce camera … [Read more...] about History of Photography: Oscar Rejlander
Lightroom Live: Wildlife & Nature with Jason Hahn
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, September 18th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Wildlife & Nature with Jason Hahn
Stock Photography Insights
Yesterday was a milestone day for me. I hit 10,000 sales of stock images. Yes, some of us are still selling and making money through stock photography. Of course, I will never get rich from my proceeds, but the sales do help to pay for my equipment. Stock Photography takes patience and perseverance. It is not an easy road. But it is fun seeing my images on book covers and in travel books and websites. Recently, I even made the CBS online news with two of my images being used in one story. Helpful Tips So, what is the big secret, to … [Read more...] about Stock Photography Insights
How to Use a Digital Projector as a Glamour Spotlight
An Alternative to Focusing Fresnel Spot Light with the Benefit of Easy Custom Shapes I have been experimenting with digital projectors as a light source in my Glamour Photography Workshops. If you don't have access to large movie hot lights with focusing fresnel lens systems, a digital projector provides a wonderful simulation! You can create any imaginable shape to project in Photoshop and use the projector like a light source. The example below was created by strapping the projector to a platform attached to a light stand - this accessory … [Read more...] about How to Use a Digital Projector as a Glamour Spotlight
Lightroom Live: Wedding Workflow With Lisa Robinson 8/28
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, August 28th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Wedding Workflow With Lisa Robinson 8/28
The Traveling Photographer: Returning to the U.S. After Traveling Abroad
If you are returning home to the US after a trip abroad, take notice! Under certain circumstances, you may be charged a duty on your photography gear if you are unable to prove that you were in possession of the gear before leaving the US. You are thinking that sounds crazy. With the price of camera equipment today it could happen to any of us, particularly if your equipment looks or is new. US Customs and Border Protection When you re-enter the U.S.you are allowed a duty-free exemption for the total value of merchandise purchased abroad, … [Read more...] about The Traveling Photographer: Returning to the U.S. After Traveling Abroad
Product Review: Haida 150 Series Insert Filter and Holder System
Over the past couple of years, there has been a wave of super wide-angle telephoto lenses released on the market. Ideal for huge landscapes, vast night skies, or anything your wide-angle imagination conjures up. They offer big views, exceptional sharpness, and a whole realm of creative possibilities. My personal favorite is the Tamron 15-30mm, but, regardless of the brand, with super wides, their big beautiful front element projects out a distance from the lens body. This means that you can't use traditional threaded filters that screw on the … [Read more...] about Product Review: Haida 150 Series Insert Filter and Holder System
Seeing and Composition in Photography
Recently someone commented on one of my images: “I wish I had your eye for composition.” My reply: composition can be learned. Art classes in high school and college helped me learn the basics of composition, color, lines, shapes and the elements of design that go into creating good compositions in art, drawing, painting and yes, photography. There are plenty of online resources about art and learning basic composition. Normally my process is to get it as right as I can when I shoot it. Sometimes, though, I know what I want in my head but … [Read more...] about Seeing and Composition in Photography
Lightroom Live: Wedding Workflow With Lisa Robinson 8/28
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, August 28th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show your … [Read more...] about Lightroom Live: Wedding Workflow With Lisa Robinson 8/28
Problem Solving | Photofocus Podcast | July 29th, 2017
Levi Sim and Ron Pepper discuss how location access can help make better photos, and ideas for access that anyone can try. First we'll follow up on last month's show about the eclipse. Find Levi: levisim.com Instagram: @photolevi Find Pepper: www.panoramanetwork.com instagram: @rpepper Have suggestions or questions to be used on the show? Email us here: -Levi Sim: [email protected] -Ron Pepper: [email protected] Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. … [Read more...] about Problem Solving | Photofocus Podcast | July 29th, 2017
Total Solar Eclipse: Dress Rehearsal part 4
(Editor's note: Marie Tartar and her husband Steve Eilenberg have been getting ready to photograph the eclipse on August 21st. In this concluding installment, she chronicles their dress rehearsal for the event. Practice makes perfect. Read her first three posts here: Preparation, Eye Protection & Photographic Considerations.) Preparation meets practice Over the preceding weeks, I’ve been reading everything I can find to prepare myself for the upcoming total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. My eclipse glasses and solar filter have … [Read more...] about Total Solar Eclipse: Dress Rehearsal part 4
Gear Review: Atlas Packs ‘Athlete’
Atlas Packs is a new company and they have created a good product. They've created backpacks that are extremely comfortable to wear and that carry a lot of weight without leaving you feeling fatigued. What's more, they truly don't look like technology backpacks that are full of expensive tools--they just look like a regular hiking backpack. Who's This Camera Bag For? Atlas Packs would be perfect for anyone who needs to carry their camera equipment as well as other stuff because they are well designed and have plenty of room for coats and … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Atlas Packs ‘Athlete’
