Category Archives: Photography Tips

Tips on being a Better Photographer

Catch the a Person’s Soul, Not Just Their Smile

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When taking pictures of people look for something greater that a wide smile. Catch the Image of their Soul! A picture that captures the heart of an Child, Spouse, a Candid Shot, a Musician or other worthy subjects. A creative image provides memories that last forever.

Patience is a indelible tool for capturing the moment when a person lets down their hair and shows their inner being.

Never say 1.2.3 before taking a shot. It will most likely destroy any opportunity for a soul shot and will likely provide you with a very unreal smile. Create an environment of “trust” with your subject when you are able.

Look for the image that displays the persons inner feeling at that moment. That inner expression may be joy, sorrow, freight, elation,  pain or a myriad of emotions. Those are the images that stay fixed in the viewers mind and heart.

Catch a Person’s Soul, Not just the Smile!

 

Dallas Farmers Market

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Farmers Market in Dallas, Texas is a Great place to Visit for Photographers, Enjoy the Colors, Textures, Taste and Smell of Fresh Vegetables, Fruit and Flowers. I rode down to Farmers Market with Susan and Dennis Burkett, We spent several hours photographing around the complex. You can find out more about Farmers Market at http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/, We did use good DSLR’s to take pics but I was enamored with what can be done with a Smart Phone. So here are a few pics from my Phone.

Cell Phone Camera’s

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Are you old enough to remember when we used to use a cell phone to make mobile phone calls. What happened? Now we do our Email, Text, Browse the web, Navigate our car, Set Up our own WiFi hot spot,  Carry our files, Set up To Do lists, Read books and more. And to think we can do all this one small device.

Oh I forgot one thing! The extra compact camera for the Photographer. Oh maybe a Smart Phone Camera doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that our DSLR has but it is compact, always with us and now powerful enough to take a pretty decent picture in a pinch. Yah, it doesn’t have a view finder, no filters, doesn’t shoot in RAW mode and a bevy of other things. I don’t know about you but I find myself needing to use a camera when it’s not convenient to use my big ones.

The picture above was captured on my way home from breakfast this morning. It’s not my best shot for sure, but not bad in a pinch. I’ll post more later. You’d be surprised at what you can take with your phone. Learn to use it. You’ll be glad you did!

Apart from the camera, my favorite feature is the portable wi-fi hot spot. While Joyce drives, I just put my phone on wi-fi and get on my Ipad and work to my hearts content. Maybe the next blog you see will happen from my car. Cheers!

PS Maybe a pic or so too! :-)

Artistry – Behind the Lens and After

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Artistry – Behind the Lens and After.

For the amateur post processing is a way to make a bad photo better. For the photographic artist the magic begins behind the lens and continues through post processing.

The greatest role model for post processing may be Ansel Adams. He was a excellent craftsman at taking compelling images but his art continued on the darkroom. Ansel was a master at developing compelling images through manipulation of chemicals, filters, use of time and light, and a multitude of tools.

Today we work in the digital darkroom of Photoshop and other software tools. We may not deal with chemicals but our output is none the less an artistic expression.

Our gift to others is more than a image captured but an artistic expression that captures the eye, mind and imagination of the viewer.

Our artistic ability does not come overnight but with study of composition, our equipment and the products we use to create a work of art.

Clear Sharp Pictures

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How many times have you looked on the LCD of your camera and thought to yourself “what a great picture I took”. Life was wonderful till you got home and downloaded your pics to the computer. Suddenly you saw that your “great” pics were not in focus. The larger you made them the more out of focus your “great” pics became. Tears ran down your eyes. Your day turned from good to bad. Well maybe that’s a bit dramatic :-) . In any event you were unhappy.

The reasons are may be many but I suspect a few stand out.

  • A hand held camera always telegraphs your motion.
  • Low Light is always a culprit to getting clear shots.

Solutions!

  • Never hand hold a camera unless you have no alternative
  • Use a tripod, and buy a good one. A decent on will set you back at least $150.00
  • Make sure it does NOT have support between its legs. Perfect way to detect a cheap tripod. It will impair flexibility.
  • Turn off VR or Vibration Reduction. With a tripod it will add noise.
  • Use a flash when necessary to freeze motion.
  • Even your mirror can add motion. Most newer DSLR’s  can lock the mirror so as not to affect your shot.
  • Add ISO of low light conditions. Be careful, it may add noise the further you go.
  • If you take scenic shots as I do, buy a good ball head to mount your camera on. See Photo.

Reflections in Photography

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I’m really attracted to reflections wherever they can be found. Lakes, Rivers, Pools, Shiny Metal Objects, Window, Car Finishes and any object that reflects interesting images is fair game for an interesting photo. Here are a few of ours to whet your appetite. Get out your camera, a great reflection may be just around the corner.

What’s the Best Camera to Buy?

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Umh? Can you afford the best? Will you use the functions of the best camera? :-) Maybe the question should be “what is the best camera for me?”

Ah Ha! Now we can cut to the chase. If you are taking pictures simply for memories and not for photographic excellence than your choice may be very different. If most of your shots will be for small printing and for exchanging photographs on the web you will want a much different camera than a person who wants to print large photographs.

Most cameras on the market are amazing in their capability. The questions to ask are more personal. What do I want to do with my camera? How much can I spend? Am I serious about developing my talent for picture taking?

If your interest is simply to record moments for self and family enjoyment than a simple point and shoot camera will do the trick. You can buy one for under $200. More expensive models will have more features and therefore more capabilities. Longer telephoto lenses, internal photo-stitching (Photo shots together to get a panorama) and more. Generally point and shoot cameras are small and compact. The often fit in a shirt pocket or purse.

If you are more serious and you budget allows you can invest in a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex). That’s means several things. The two most obvious is  what you see and inter-changeable lenses. You actually look directly through the lens for a more realistic view of what you are shooting. You are able change lenses for a particular need. They are of course, larger and heavier than a point and shoot and you will have lots of accessories to carry.  In the long run people spend far more on lenses that the camera body. Prices can run from $700 for a camera with a kit lens to many thousands of dollars.

As we alluded to earlier, most cameras may do a good job for you. My preference is Nikon or Canon because they are world leaders in service and support. You can find parts world over.

A good camera shop can be a major source of product, advice and instruction for you. Here in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex I suggest Competitive Camera, Garland Camera and Arlington Camera. You might save a little online but you must be very careful. Even some companies with large ads in magazines can hide c0sts and are give little support. You can generally count on B&H Photo, Adorama and Calumet Photo to be straight with you,

A Must Have IPhone App for Photographers – PhotoCalc

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PhotoCalc

PhotoCalc is a utility that every photographer with and IPhone/ITouch/Ipad must have. It calculates DOF, exposure reciprocation and flash and more.

Whether you are a pro or an amatuer this is a great tool. There is a great sunrise/sunset calculator, Reference section  and a super glossary of photographic terms.

Polarizing Filter – A Must for Photographers!

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There is one filter you must have if you take pictures throughout the day. A circular polarizing filter will highlight the contrast between clouds and sky. I will also reduce glare on water and let you see your subjects better. Your viewers will thank you for a much better image. You can work with image software to simulate almost any other filter, but not the polarizing filter. It’s a must have for all photographers!

Playing with Stacking Software

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More Macro Photography Fun and Practice. Close up photography works to get your mind to think out of the box. Often we think about traveling to take pictures. But with close up photography an exciting image just might be at arms length. It takes a whole different mind set. Here is a pic of some balls we have set on a coffee table but in a new light. We are using natural light, a focusing rail and Zerene Stacking Software. This image is comprised of about 30 shots at different focal lengths to preserve total focus from front to back.