There are two kinds of photographers at family events: those you know are making pictures and those you don't. My mother-in-law is really good at the former. She captures every grouping at every party and gets most of the people to look. I'm really bad at that kind of picture and am trying to get better at it. But I'm pretty good at the candid shots. I do two things when I'm making pictures: I look for good light and I use a telephoto lens. Good Light Good light is usually coming from the side, and it's usually coming from a window. If … [Read more...] about Use A Telephoto Lens And Good Light For Holidays
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from Photofocus
All of us here at Photofocus wish all of you, our readers and your families, the happiest of Thanksgivings “As I sit at water’s edge among the autumn leaves, I imagine that as each leaf fell to the ground a blessing was granted to a friend or to someone I have never known, and I am thankful for so many blessings that surround me." Quote and photograph by Photofocus Author Susan Kanfer … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksgiving from Photofocus
A Low-Key Thanksgiving: Focus on the Details
For the past several years, our Thanksgivings have been pretty low-key as a family. We sleep in, watch football and eat turkey. Needless to say, there's not much activity...unless you're in the kitchen. And while we've all seen tons of cooked turkey photos, I challenge you this Thanksgiving to go beyond the "arm's length" typical turkey feast photograph. Instead, focus on the details. Get Creative While capturing the turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie is great, it can get a little boring. Muted tan and brown colors don't exactly scream … [Read more...] about A Low-Key Thanksgiving: Focus on the Details
Happy Thanksgiving
For our US-based audience, today is Thanksgiving. It’s a time to be grateful and our entire team is grateful for you. One thing I do really like about holidays is the chance to make images that matter. To those of you with families, this is the time to show them that your gear investment can pay off in ways they’ll appreciate. Take lots of photos. Lots of em’. And make sure to take this chance to tell a story. Tell the story of your family with pictures. Pretend that you had to explain your family and its history to a stranger, but you … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksgiving
Holiday Photo Tips from the Photofocus Team
Today is Thanksgiving in the United States and it's a day to spend time with friends and family. With everyone around, it's a great time to shoot family photos that can be shared with the family or used for Christmas cards. Need some last-minute pointers? I've gone through thousands of articles in the Photofocus archive and pulled out some of the very best tips for shooting family portraits. Putting Family Back into Photography - Rich Harrington Rich takes a look at how his family has influenced his photography. One Simple Tip for Great … [Read more...] about Holiday Photo Tips from the Photofocus Team
Bring Your Camera to Holiday Events… Others Will Thank You
Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. A day that many come together with friends and family. Around the world, we are entering into times of holiday celebration, reflection, and get-togethers. This is a great time to bring your camera to functions. Shooting candid portraits helps preserve memories for all who come. Even if you do not thinking of yourself as a portrait photographer, but youre likely the most qualified in the room. Here are a few tips. Pick up a Fast Lens. Opening up the aperture will give you a pleasant shallow … [Read more...] about Bring Your Camera to Holiday Events… Others Will Thank You
I Am Thankful
At first blush, the cynic in me questions why there has to be a singular day where Americans acutely focus a laser-like concentrated beam on being thankful. Why do we have a federal holiday devoted to expressing thanks? Isn't one of the hallmarks of being a genuinely humble person to be thankful every day? Maybe so. But then the optimist in me comes out and asks, "What's so wrong about spending a day with loved ones to be jovial and take stock of not only what we have but, more importantly, why we have it and why we're thankful for it all? I am … [Read more...] about I Am Thankful
Happy Thanksgiving From Photofocus
In the USA today we celebrate a holiday called Thanksgiving. I used to spend this day every year photographing Bosque del Apache. It's odd not to be there. But that spot is played out for me. I have 59000 snow geese photos. I think I have that subject covered. I intend to do something I almost never do - which is take the day off. I am gearing up for my last big nature photo shoot in Alaska this coming March. I'll make a final trek there to photograph the eagles in China Poot Bay. Things are slowing down for me now - and that's my choice. … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksgiving From Photofocus
Thanksgiving Thoughts From A Photographer
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Its a holiday primarily celebrated in the United States to give thanks for the bounty of the previous year. Photographically, its been a great year for me. I am thrilled, gratified, amazed, happy and fulfilled by the knowledge that even after all these years, my photography is still improving. I learn something new each month. In my mind I always seem to think I have things figured out until things teach me a thing or two and then Im grateful that I got a chance to learn. For all of us, its been a good year for gear. … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Thoughts From A Photographer
Happy Thanksgiving From One Photographer’s Perspective
In the USA it's Thanksgiving today. It's the start of the busy holiday retail season in America and it's a day when many, many cameras are sold. It's also a day for reflection and thanks. Today, I want to take a break from the normal stuff I write at Photofocus to give thanks - well at least thanks from this old photographer's perspective. It's been an amazing year for Photofocus and for me personally. The success of this site, the success I've seen in my own career - has been both surprising to me and rewarding. To think that at this late … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksgiving From One Photographer’s Perspective
Thanksgiving
I just want to tip my hat to Thanksgiving - a holiday we celebrate in the USA. I spend my Thanksgivings in Socorro, NM at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Last year at this time, I made one of the most successful images of my career here. Cranes in the Fire Mist has sold 98 of 100 limited edition prints, been licensed for commercial use more than 20 times and all within one year. I'm lucky and thankful for the opportunity to make that photo. As of this year, it can't happen again. The Refuge management drained the North Railroad … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving – Don’t Forget the Camera
I have to admit, I am not much of a holiday kind of guy. To me, most holidays are days that I can't get mail, deposit checks at my bank or get people to answer their phone when I need something. But one thing I do like about holidays is the chance to make images that matter. To those of you with families, this is the time to show them that your gear investment can pay off in ways they'll appreciate. Take lots of photos. Lots of em'. And make sure to take this chance to tell a story. Tell the story of your family with pictures. Pretend that you … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksgiving – Don’t Forget the Camera
