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Worth a Thousand Words: Issue #009

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Worth a Thousand Words, Issue #009 — 8 New Year’s Resolutions for the Photographer in You
January 19, 2011
Welcome to 2011! I hope this year brings you health, happiness and prosperity! In this issue, I have 8 New Year’s resolutions just for you, the photographer. I also have a tip for a great place to shoot during cold, winter months, as well as a creativity exercise to get you really “seeing.” Of course, this e-zine wouldn’t be complete without the “too cool not to share link;” this month, it’s “Maka Fushigi.” What the heck is that, you ask? Read on to find out!

8 New Year’s Resolutions for the Photographer in You

Get off to a great start this year with your photography by making at least one of the resolutions here.

1. Get off “auto” mode! Spend a little time browsing our pages on exposure basics to learn a bit about aperture and shutter speed, and then claim the creative control that’s rightfully yours as a photographer! Try choosing your own exposure settings instead of letting the camera choose for you.

2. Use a tripod. Now, before I hear from all you street photographers, a tripod is not for every circumstance. However, if your subject is not moving, it’s a great discipline to use a tripod. It will help you to make more thoughtful and precise compositions. And of course, it will rescue your image in low-light situations.

3. Experiment more. You will grow most as a photographer through creative experimentation. Get out there, make some discoveries, and have some “happy accidents!”

4. Backup your images. Hardware does fail, so avoid disappointment. Make sure you have multiple copies of your images on separate hard drives. If you can take a copy to a different physical location (e.g., your cottage or workplace), even better.

5. Delete the junk. The advent of digital photography has encouraged us to take more pictures. Those pictures will quickly clog up your hard drives (in multiples — see resolution # 4!). Sifting though thousands of images to find a particular one you want is a nightmare. Take the time to delete your mistakes.

6. Keyword your images. While we’re on the topic of finding images in your collection, why not be disciplined and keyword your “keepers?” Adobe Lightroom is great for this, but if you do a little research, you’ll find several different software programs that allow you to add keywords to your image metadata. Effective keyword choices will make finding images later a breeze.

7. Set yourself an assignment. Find a long term project for yourself that will encourage you to get out and practice, as well as taking several points of view on a subject.

8. Take more pictures! Practice makes perfect. Set yourself a goal of taking a picture a day (that takes more discipline than you might think), or eve a picture a week if every day is too unrealistic for you.

https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/exposure-basics.html

Creativity Exercise

With this month’s exercise, I want to encourage you to be more observant, and practice the art of “seeing.” The most important thing to master in order to take great images is an understanding of light. Great images are made with great light. Start by looking around your home for interesting patterns of light. Perhaps you’ll find interesting shapes of light and shadow created by light passing through blinds. Perhaps you’ll find pools of light illuminating carpet, fabric or furniture. Maybe you’ll find light being manipulated as it reflects off a shiny surface, or passes though a glass table, vase or bottle. There are great photographs to be found here. Sometimes, the photograph is in the pattern of light and shadow itself. Sometimes it is in an object that is being lit by beautiful light.

Look around your house at all times of the day, and watch how the patterns of light that come from sunlight through the window change as the sun moves through the sky. How is the light different at 10am and at 2pm? How is it different in the evening when the artificial lights are turned on? By becoming aware of the rhythm of light in your own home, and observing how it illuminates familiar objects, you will become more attuned to the effects of light. As you are training your eye, be sure to use your camera to capture the magic light that you discover!

Something Every Photographer Needs to Know: Tip of the Month

A Great Shooting Location

Looking for ways to keep warm in winter, while still keeping your photographic skills sharp? Tired of the monochromatic images typical of winter in a snowy climate? Try photographing in a greenhouse or garden nursery. Many public and commercial greenhouses are receptive to a small group of photographers, even ones with tripods. I find that the colorful flowers are a welcome sight after a few weeks of snow.

Just make sure to wrap all your gear in a big plastic garbage bag while you’re in the warmth of your home, before you take it out into the cold to transport it. If your gear is unprotected in the cold, condensation will form on all your lenses as soon as you take it into the warm and humid greenhouse environment, and you’ll have to wait a long time for it to clear before you can begin shooting.

Too Cool Not to Share!

Maka Fushigi

A friend recently sent me a link to this site. It’s filled with stunning images of natural phenomena, including Earth, space, plants, animals, insects and more. “MAKA FUSHIGI” is a Japanese term often used to describe mysterious occurrences. Read more on the website to learn the derivation of the term.
Unfortunately, this website no longer exists.

What’s New this Month at Ultimate Photo Tips

Two Minute Tips Podcast: Selective Focus

Check out a brand new podcast about selective focus in our Two-Minute Tips podcast series.
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/how-to-take-good-pictures.html

Photo Challenges

Last month’s winner in our Pets challenge was Julie Anne Moore from New Brunswick, Canada. Her pet Tucker claimed his spot as top dog in her beautifully composed black and white image, “Bath Time.”
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-winner.html

The topic for this month’s challenge is “water.” Over 70% of our Earth’s surface is covered in water. This month, let’s see some pictures of water in all its forms, liquid or solid. Show us snow, ice, or water, or even steam; running water or still; lakes, waterfalls, rain, or bathtubs! Get creative! Just make sure that water is the main element of your photo.

Submit your water images here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-jan-2011.html

In 2011, watch the Ultimate Photo Tips website for more interviews with photographers, and more articles on a range of topics, from creativity to equipment. As always, if you have ideas for content you’d like to see on the site, drop me a line through the website.

Contact Ultimate Photo Tips

Happy shooting from Ultimate Photo Tips!

 

 

Worth a Thousand Words: Issue #010

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Worth a Thousand Words, Issue #010

February 16, 2011

As I’m preparing this month’s issue of the eZine, IBM’s
super-computer “Watson” is busy crushing the human contestants on
Jeopardy, the IBM Challenge. It makes me wonder: will we ever have
a computer that takes fine art photos, and has an aesthetic
sensibility? Would it learn to take pictures by following the
rules? Would it know when it’s okay to break a rule?

In this month’s issue, I talk about when it’s okay to break the
rule of thirds. I’ve also written a little rant about the plight
of fine art color photography. I have a new creativity exercise
for you, and a cool link that marks the end of a photographic era.
What more could you ask for? Enjoy!

Hey! Color Photography Is Hard Too!

Some time ago, I was participating in an outdoor art show where I
had a booth showcasing my photography. A woman was flipping
through my rack of loose prints. I do mostly color photography,
but occasionally produce some black and whites. Flip, flip,
flip. Ah! said the woman, as she came across one of my few black
and whites, Black and white! Now thats hard. Color is easy! Im
afraid that I was stunned into silence, and failed to respond at
the time.

I dont think I need to try too hard to make the case to you
photographers out there that theres more to making a *good* color
photograph than just tripping the shutter. Where, then, does this
attitude come from? The perception seems to be that because color
photography is now so accessible through the abundance of
inexpensive digital cameras, that it is also easy. On the other
hand, special post-processing skills are required to produce a
black and white image, so it must be hard. The high esteem in
which black and white photography is held in the eyes of the
general public may also be due to photographers such as Ansel
Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson. They are household names, and
have made photography, in the context of art, synonymous with
black and white.

The prevalence of some level of disdain for color photography as
fine art certainly impacts the color photographer who wishes to
sell his or her work. I have had more than one gallery owner tell
me that they cant sell color. Meanwhile, I can look around the
walls of their gallery and see a veritable rainbow of colors. Ah,
comes the reply. But those are paintings, not photography. I
cant argue with what sells. Gallery owners are governed by the
laws of supply and demand, and color photography is still not
widely perceived as fine art by the public.

Will this attitude change, I wonder, as the black and white
shooting mode becomes available on newer digital cameras? Will
that make black and white photography seem easy too? Will color
photography ever enjoy the same status as black and white? I leave
you with questions, and no answers. Only time will tell!

Creativity Exercise

X Marks the Spot! When I take students out into the field for a
photography workshop, I always suggest this exercise to them. I
ask them to pick a single spot, stay there for a pre-determined
amount of time, and shoot a specific number of pictures (it used
to be one roll of film!). Usually, 15 minutes is the most anyone
wants to attempt! The longer you stay, however, the more youll
push your creativity. This works even better if you choose a spot
where you think there are no images to be had. If you discipline
yourself to stay put and shoot, youll be forced to get creative to
find images, and you’ll usually begin to really see whats around
you. Give it a try!

Something Every Photographer Needs to Know: Tip of the Month

Rules Were Meant To Be Broken: Breaking The Rule Of Thirds

The rule of thirds is an oft-quoted rule in photography, and for
good reason. Placing your subject off-centre can produce pleasing
effects. But can a central subject ever work? Yes, it certainly
can.

Central placement can give power and impact to a subject. This
works best when you have a single, dominant subject, and a simple
composition with no competing elements. Portraits can work well
with this technique, including portraits of people animals, and
even plants.

Central placement of a subject, or your horizon line, can also
work when there is a lot of symmetry in the scene. The central
placement will emphasize the symmetry.

Central placement is usually frowned upon because it can make your
image quite static. Sometimes, however, static might be what you
want to convey. If stability is central to the story you want to
tell, then central subject placement may serve to enhance your
message. Just remember to use central placement of your subject
purposefully and thoughtfully.

I think its always a good idea to learn a rule well before
attempting to break it, so check out our page on the rule of
thirds. Then get out your camera, and experiment! Try
photographing the same subject placed centrally, as well as in the
thirds power positions and judge for yourself what works best.
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photography-rule-of-thirds.html

Too Cool Not to Share!

The End of an Era

Its the end of an era. The last roll of Kodachrome film has been
produced, and through a special arrangement, it was exposed by
none other than National Geographic photographer, Steve McCurry
(the photographer who took the famous picture of the Afghan Girl).
Check out what Steve McCurry shot with the very last roll of
Kodachrome ever:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/02/last-kodachrome-slide-show-201102#intro

What’s New this Month at Ultimate Photo Tips

Special Deals

I’m always on the lookout for special deals for my readers from my
affiliate partners. I’ve chosen reputable companies producing
photography-related products and services. I’m doing my best to
keep the links fresh by updating them about once a week. Check out
what’s new from B&H, BetterPhoto.com, CanvasPress and NAPP:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photography-specials.html

Photo Challenges

The topic of January’s photo challenge was Water. We had some
great entries! Check out the striking winning image of a red oak
leaf covered in water droplets by Luis A. Vera from Laflin, PA,
USA:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-winner.html

The topic for February’s challenge is "Winter." Here in Toronto,
we’re still in the thick of it. Might as well get out and enjoy
photographing it! Let’s see what winter looks like in your part of
the world. Submit your winter images here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-feb-2011.html

Happy shooting from Ultimate Photo Tips!

 

 

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Worth a Thousand Words: Issue #011

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Worth a Thousand Words, Issue #011— Are You Making the Best Use of Color?
March 16, 2011
In this month’s issue, I share tips to make the best use of color
in your photos. I also talk about how to use the “bulb” setting on
your camera. The creativity exercise this month gets you turned on
your head! And our cool link highlights a storm chasing
photographer with some dramatic weather images. What more could
you ask for? Enjoy!

Are You Making The Best Use Of Color In Your Photographs?

All objects are colored, but do you ever stop to think about the
impact of those colors before you take a picture? Color can be an
important design element in your photographs. When used
deliberately, it can help you tell your visual story more
effectively. Id like to share a few tips with you here.

First of all, keep your color palette fairly simple. By that, I
mean avoid having too many colors competing for attention within
the frame. In the computer field, we refer to a bad visual
interface design that uses too many colors as angry fruit salad.
Avoid angry fruit salad in your images.

Strong colors like red or yellow will stand out, so its best to
reserve those colors for objects that are important to your story,
otherwise the bright colors will only serve as distractions.

Light tones and warm colors advance in the image, and dark tones
and cool colors recede. That means that if a yellow flower and a
blue flower are the same distance from the viewer, the yellow
flower will seem to be closer than the blue one just because of
its color. If you photograph a blue subject against a yellow
background, your brain will be getting mixed messages. The yellow
of the background will jump forward to compete with your subject.
A yellow subject against a blue background will work much better.

Finally, remember your complementary colors from high school art
class? Blue and orange, red and green, and purple and yellow are
complementary color pairs.. Placing a subject against a background
of its complementary color makes it stand out, or pop. Just keep
in mind the previous tip; use the lighter tones and warmer colors
for the foreground subject.

Creativity Exercise

Turn It On Its Side

All too often, photographers forget that they can turn their
camera vertically! Its easy to automatically shoot only horizontal
images. Set yourself a challenge. Go out on a photo expedition and
shoot only verticals. This means that you have to look for subject
matter that lends itself to being photographed vertically; not
everything does. Let the shapes and lines of your subject matter
guide you.

Something Every Photographer Needs to Know: Tip of the Month

Bulb Setting

Have you ever used the bulb setting on your camera? The bulb
setting on your camera is used to get shutter speeds longer than
the longest standard setting on your camera (usually 30 seconds).
Bulb allows you to keep the shutter open for an arbitrary amount
of time, for as long as you hold down the shutter button. If you
use a cable release, you can usually slide it so it stays
depressed without your having to hold it down.

Bulb setting can be used to shoot star trails, when you need to
leave the shutter open for a long time. It can also be used to
photograph lightning; leave the shutter open until you see the
lightning flash, and then release the shutter.

Bulb setting is available on most cameras that allow you to
manually change your shutter speed. Check your camera manual to
see how to turn it on.

Too Cool Not to Share!

Storm Chaser

Storm chaser Jim Reed is an award-winning extreme weather
photographer dedicated to documenting America’s changing climate.
Check out his dramatic photographs.
http://www.jimreedphoto.com/

What’s New this Month at Ultimate Photo Tips

Photo Challenges

The topic of February’s photo challenge was Winter. There were
some wonderfully creative and chilly-feeling images! Check out the
wonderful winning image of snow falling on shoreline rock patterns
by Ron Whitaker from Nova Scotia, Canada:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-winner.htmll

The topic for March’s challenge is “Pattern and Repetition.” A
pattern is a particular arrangement of visual elements. It may be
repeated in a regular rhythm, or randomly. So, let’s see some
images from all of you where pattern is the star of the show.

Submit your pattern and repetition images here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-mar-2011.htmll

Happy shooting from Ultimate Photo Tips!

 

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Worth a Thousand Words: Issue #012

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Worth a Thousand Words, Issue #012— Garbage In, Garbage Out
April 20, 2011
This month, read about photographing children, eBooks on closeup
photography, getting it right in camera, liquid sculpture, and
creating tension in your images.

Garbage In, Garbage Out: Get It Right In-Camera

All too often, I hear the phrase Ill just fix it in Photoshop from
a photographer. I must admit, it drives me a little crazy! As they
say in the IT industry, garbage in, garbage out. In other words,
the quality of the output depends on the quality of the input.
There are some things even Photoshop cant fix, and it pays to
capture the best raw material possible in camera.

I think people sometimes resist spending the extra effort up front
because they feel that it takes away from having fun with their
photography. If they are concentrating on f-stops and leading
lines, they lose their sense of being in the moment.

Certainly, there will be a learning curve when you start paying
conscious attention to your composition and exposure. However, its
a lot like riding a bike. When you first begin to learn, you have
to think about steering, and balance, and watching for traffic.
Its difficult! If you persist, though, eventually all of these
because automatic processes that no longer require conscious
awareness, and you can start enjoying the feeling of the wind in
your hair! Its the same thing with photography. Once you master
the technicalities of exposure, choosing a shutter speed and
aperture will become second nature. Next to become internalized
will be your composition skills. Youll automatically scan the
frame for distractions, and place your subject so as to achieve a
visual balance. Then you can get back to concentrating on your
subject matter, and having fun!

Its well worth the investment of time to learn your craft well.
This allows you to enjoy the creative side of photography, not to
mention making better pictures. Remember: a few seconds invested
up front can save you hours in Photoshop.

Check out some tips on composition to get you started:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photography-composition.htmll

Creativity Exercise

The Artist’s Way

The Artists Way is a well-known book by Julia Cameron. It was
first published in 1992, but is just as relevant today. The book
helps artists (including photographers!) to maximize their
creativity and productivity. It describes two main tools for you
to use throughout a 12-week process. The first is Morning Pages.
This is essentially a journal where you write three pages first
thing each morning. The idea is that you end up purging the junk
that collects in your mind, and causes creative blocks. Theres no
right or wrong way to write the pages. They dont need to be
literature! You just write whatever comes to mind in a
stream-of-consciousness fashion.

The second tool is the weekly Artist Date. This is where you take
yourself off to some fun and energizing pursuit, by yourself. It
could be a shopping trip to the dollar store, a walk in the woods,
or coloring Easter eggs. It should be something that appeals to
your inner child. The idea here is to fill up your creative well.
I went through the Artists Way process once on my own about two
years ago. I found it to be very enlightening and helpful. I am
now embarking on my second Artists Way journey as part of a group
(or Circle, as its known in Artists Way terms). So far, the
process has been emotional, as I dig deep to uncover my creative
blocks. Its also energizing and exciting, and Im looking forward
to the transformation that I believe it will bring.

Something Every Photographer Needs to Know: Tip of the Month

Subject Placement To Create Tension

I’ve written about the rule of thirds here before, and how placing
your subject off-center can produce a pleasing image. Now, Id like
you to consider taking this rule a little further. If you place
your subject even more off-center, and close to the edge of the
frame, you will create more tension in the image. This is a
technique that should not be used in every image, but can add
interest if used carefully.

Note that the tension caused by an object close to the edge can
work against you. If you inadvertently place an object of strong
visual weight, other than your subject, close to the edge, it will
become a distraction, drawing your viewers attention.

Keep in mind that many subjects have an implied direction.
Anything that is moving, or is capable of moving, implies a
direction of motion by its orientation. Even inanimate objects,
like a tree branch, can appear to be pointing in one direction.
Take this implied direction into account when placing your
subject. For instance, placing a person close to the edge of the
frame creates tension, but that tension is significantly higher if
the person is about to walk out of the frame, rather than if they
have just walked into it. There is no right or wrong; you must
simply be aware of your choices, and use them to tell the story
that you want to tell.

Too Cool Not to Share!

Liquid Sculpture

Photographer Martin Waugh has created some spectacular images of
liquids in motion, captured with high speed flash photography.
Enjoy!
http://www.liquidsculpture.com

What’s New this Month at Ultimate Photo Tips

Closeup Photography E-Books

I’m excited to announce the arrival of two brand new, downloadable
PDF e-Books on Creative Close-up Photography. In these books, I
share my passion for, and extensive experience with, macro
photography. Each book is approximately 60 pages, and is filled
with spectacular, full color images to stimulate your creativity.
The books are written to be clear and easy to understand, and are
full of helpful tips and useful information to inspire you to
create better close up photographs.

Find out more:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/close-up-photography.html

Photographing Children

Barbara Bender is back this month with another inspiring article
about photographing children — not in stiff, formal portraits,
but as they really are. In Barbaras words, This article is not
about making formal portraits of well behaved, dressed up little
children who are smiling nicely for the camera. It’s about
shooting kids as they really are… messy, adorable, active,
silly-acting little people who can laugh with joy one minute and
have a tantrum the next.

Read more:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/children-portrait-photography.html

Photo Challenges

The topic of March’s photo challenge was Patterns and Repetition.
There were some terrific and creative entries! Check out the
wonderful winning image of blue and orange bars by Maija V from
Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-winner.html

The topic for April’s challenge is “Travel.” It can be an exotic
location, or it can be your friend’s cottage; good pictures are
everywere. Show us where you’ve been!

Submit your travel images here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-apr-2011.html

Happy shooting from Ultimate Photo Tips!

 

 

Tony Sweet on “Creativity”

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Tony Sweet – Interview on Creativity


tony sweet photography
© Tony Sweet

Tony teaches a number of photography workshops at Betterphoto.com. I’ve had the privilege of taking two of them myself: Fine Art Flower Photography and Creative Nature/Outdoor Photos with Lensbabies. Tony is a great instructor! I enjoyed the sense of community in the classes, I had fun, and I learned a lot from both courses. I highly recommend any of Tony’s workshops.
Check out Tony’s online photography classes now!

In this podcast, I interview Tony on the subject of creativity. What is creativity? Tony gives us his definition of creativity, and how it differs from imagination. He emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind, and not labeling objects when we want to be creative. He encourages us to see the design elements of the object instead, and focus on its lines, shapes and colors.

"Creativity is the ability to see things with an open mind, and not put labels on things." –Tony

How can you boost your photographic creativity? Tony offers some ideas for improving our creativity. It’s all about persistence. If we continue to revisit a subject, we’ll be forced to find new approaches. As humans, we’re simply not wired to repeat the same images over and over again. Keep at it. Also, experiment! Get out and try new things. Finally, placing limitations on yourself can force you to get creative to find a new perspective on your subject.

Listen to our 20-minute chat for some great insights, techniques and inspiration, as we discuss the creative process in photography, how it compares to the creative process in music, whether anyone can learn to be creative, how restrictions and limitations can help our creativity, and more.

"Imagination is the idea that’s in your head, and the creativity would be what it would take to bring it to fruition." –Tony

tony sweet photography
© Tony Sweet

"If you just stay on something long enough, you will get out of the box." –Tony

 

Next, you may want to explore your photographic creativity with some creative photography project ideas.

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Note: If you don’t see a widget above that’s showing my images, you can find them directly from my Flickr photostream.

 

I have recently started a 365 project. In other words, I’m taking one photo a day for a year, and posting it for the world to see.

"Why?", you might well ask. In April 2011, I quit my job of 18 years at a large IT company to devote myself full-time to my photography-related endeavours. I felt like my creative muscle had somewhat atrophied after so long in IT. This 365 exercise is intended to push me creatively and perhaps take my photography in a new direction. It’s time to grow!

So far, the psychology behind the project has been interesting. I’m delighted with the excitement I feel to get out and shoot every day! I do, however, feel "pressure to produce," especially given that I’m sharing the photos. I’m also fighting an urge to make them "perfect," since this might also cause me to keep them "safe." A large part of the goal of the project is to get me outside of my comfort zone (i.e., macro flowers and rural Ontario landscapes). That means shooting more experimentally, which will naturally lead to some less than wonderful images. You’ll just have to bear with me ;-).

The other internal pressure I’m fighting is to take the images I think I ought to be taking. This comes back to having an audience, and is no doubt tied up with issues of ego! LOL! In any event, it’s important for me to fight this pressure, and make sure I’m creating images that appeal to me. This exercise is about exploring and discovering my own creative self. I can’t be photographing for "someone else."

Finally, I’ve decided that I must not "cheat" by using extra photos from a prolific day on a day where I’m finding it tough. My rule is that the picture I post must be taken on the same day.

As I write this, I’m only ten days into the project, so I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. Even this early on, however, I highly recommend the experience, and I encourage you to try it.

If you have any comments on my project, or a 365 project of your own, please do share them on the Wall! I’d love to hear them.

~Julie

 


Worth a Thousand Words: Issue #013

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Worth a Thousand Words, Issue #013 — You Could Be Wasting Your Time Editing Photos!

May 18, 2011

You Could Be Wasting Your Time Editing Photos!

Is "calibrate monitor" on your todo list? If not, you are missing an essential step in your photo processing workflow. I will go so far as to say that if you are editing your images after you take them, and your monitor is not calibrated, then you are wasting your time! If you’re not sure what monitor calibration means, why it’s important, or how to go about it, READ MORE:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/calibrate-monitor.html

Creativity Exercise

Title First

Some copywriters start by writing their title first to focus their prose. Usually, as photographers, we title our images after we’ve taken them. Try turning things around! Create your title first, and then make a photograph to fit the title. Remember, restrictions always force you to be more creative, and having the title before you get started is just another form of restriction. Here are a few titles to give you some ideas. If you don’t like these, then try using a song title!

One is the Loneliest Number
Joy to the World
Transformation
Dreamscape
The Journey
In the Beginning
Road to Nowhere
Serenity
Ode to Monet

Something Every Photographer Needs to Know: Tip of the Month

Flowers: Filling in the Gaps

Here’s a trick I use a lot when I’m photographing flowers close up. I often find that there’s a spot or two where the background shows through, and sometimes that can be distracting. To fill in the gaps with something that matches the image, I hold a flower of the same kind, or at least of the same color, behind the flower I’m shooting. If my depth of field is shallow enough, this means that the background flower becomes just a soft wash of color. You can also hold a leaf in the background to get a natural green filler. Grab a leaf from the flowers you are shooting, or something from your garden. If there’s nothing outside, try a lettuce leaf from the fridge; it works like a charm! Don’t worry about movement of your background flower or leaf due to your hand shaking. Since you’re shooting so that it’s out of focus, a little motion blur won’t be noticeable, and may even help you get a soft background.

Too Cool Not to Share!

Jonathan Harris: Today

The day he turned 30, Jonathan Harris began a simple ritual of taking one photo each day and posting it online, along with a short story. See his images here, as well as a short video narrated by him that explains his project. Be inspired to start your own one-a-day project!
http://number27.org/today.php

What’s New this Month at Ultimate Photo Tips

Monitor Calibration

Make sure to read my new article (linked from the teaser above) on monitor calibration. This is an essential step in any digital photo workflow.
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/calibrate-monitor.html

Photography Specials

Check out this week’s specials from B&H Photo Video. They have a couple of great cameras bundled with a free Red Giant B&H Production Bundle (a $494.95 value), which consists of Magic Bullet QuickLooks, Magic Bullet Grinder (Mac only), Magic Bullet PhotoLooks, and Knoll Light Factory for Photoshop.
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photography-specials.html

 

Photo Challenges

The topic of April’s photo challenge was " Travel." Take a peek if you’re looking for some great vacation destinations! And make sure to check out the wonderful winning image of The Sage Gateshead by Akhtar from the UK:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-winner.html

The topic for May’s challenge is "Creative Nature." You can enter any image that uses Nature as the basis for the subject matter, but you should include your own creative twist. It could be adding some motion blur, converting to black and white, using selective focus, making an interesting crop, or even having some fun in Photoshop. This month’s winner will be someone who shows some imagination in interpreting a Nature subject. The trick is to find a technique that complements the subject matter, without being distracting.

Submit your creative nature images here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-may-2011.html

Happy shooting from Ultimate Photo Tips!

 

 

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Worth a Thousand Words: Issue #014

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Worth a Thousand Words, Issue #014 — Express Your Personal Vision in Nature Photography
June 15, 2011

Learn to Express Your Personal Vision in Nature Photography

This month, guest writer Larry Monczka is back with an article that offers specific techniques to help you take abstract photos of nature that go beyond the straightforward record shot. He writes:

“By and large, nature photographers are a fairly conservative bunch. They know what they like and they like to know exactly what they’re seeing in a nature picture. Anyone who has regularly entered local camera club competitions knows what I’m talking about.

This time-honoured approach to nature photography has invariably leaned towards the documentary. Traditionally, this straightforward treatment deals with “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” The emphasis has always been on communicating the maximum amount of information about the flower, bird or landscape as clearly as possible. Technically, this approach has pretty much adhered to naturalistic camera angles, extensive depth of field, maximum sharpness and perfect exposure.

Let me suggest an alternative vision. In an age of image saturation, I’ve become less interested in what things look like than in what they feel like.”

READ MORE:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/abstract-photos.html

Creativity Exercise

365 Project

Last month, I linked to a 365 project in the “Too Cool Not to Share” section of the eZine. I was so inspired by the idea that I decided to start my own. I’m now at day 29 of my one-a-day photographing. I highly recommend trying this. Only a month in, and it’s already been a very positive experience. I feel like I’m really growing creatively.

Something Every Photographer Needs to Know: Tip of the Month

Accept What You Find

Frequently, when I’m out shooting with a group of people on a workshop, or just for fun, I hear someone say “I wish…” “I wish there were no clouds in the sky.” “I wish there were more clouds in the sky.” “I wish there were horses in the field.” “I wish it were a little further along in the season so that the leaves on the trees were out.” You get the idea. I really believe that we must learn not to go out shooting with a preconceived notion of what we will capture that day. That limits us. Instead, we must be open to what we find. My one-a-day project is teaching me that there is always something to see and to photograph. It’s a matter of keeping an open and receptive mind. Be observant, and accept the way things are. After all, you can’t make Spring come faster, or put clouds in the sky! Instead, just look for the beauty of what is.

Too Cool Not to Share!

The Arctic Light

“Terje Sørgjerd is back with more beautiful timelapse nature photography. This latest video, The Arctic Light, was filmed between 29th April and 10th May 2011 in the Arctic, on the archipelago Lofoten in Norway.”
http://www.sciencenewsblog.com/blog/531113

What’s New this Month at Ultimate Photo Tips

Learn About the Tools I Use

I find it interesting to know what other photographers are using in the way of gear, as well as in the digital darkroom. Sometimes I come across an idea I haven’t seen before, and I learn about a new tool that can help me in my craft. I thought I’d share what camera, lenses, accessories, hardware, software, and of course toys, I use, in case it helps any of you. Along with each item, I’ve included a brief and informal review of what I like (or sometimes don’t like) about it.
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/professional-photography-equipment.html

Your Thoughts

Where do you find photographic inspiration? I’ve just posted a new poll on my website. Find it in the right-hand navigation bar on any page. Cast your vote, and then see what others think.
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/

Join us on Facebook

Ultimate Photo Tips is now on Facebook. Follow us there to keep track of what’s new, find creative inspiration, network with fellow enthusiasts, and check out an occasional photo or two!
http://www.facebook.com/UltimatePhotoTips

 

Photo Challenges

The topic of May’s photo challenge was ” Creative Nature.” It was tough to find a creative technique that enhanced the subject matter, rather than detracting from it. Our winner, Daniela Negreda, did just that with her bright and bold image “Lens Painting.”
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-winner.html

The topic for June’s challenge is “It’s All About the Light.”We all know that photography is about the light. This month, we’re looking for those images where the magic of the light made it all come together. This one’s wide open! It could be a sunset, a long exposure of vehicle lights, patterns of light and shadow, or even a rainbow. All photographs depend on light to be made; this month we want the ones where the light is what makes the image special. As photographers, we must train our eyes to seek out the good light. What are you waiting for? Let’s see those images!

Submit your “light” images here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-june-2011.html

Happy shooting from Ultimate Photo Tips!

 

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Worth a Thousand Words: Issue #015

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Worth a Thousand Words, Issue #015 — Unplug from technology and find inspiration in Nature

July 20, 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from Nature

This month, a new writer joins the fold. Katherine Keates, freelance photographer and writer, brings us an article filled with inspiration. She gives us a wake up call, and encourages us to reconnect with Mother Nature to make creative and inspiring photographs. Katherine writes:

"In a day and age of high definition vision, media overload, and entertainment and communication in the palm of the hand, we have become increasingly hard to please, over-stimulated, yet at the same time, incredibly lazy. Mea culpa.

What we seem to have forgotten in this hubbub is how to quieten down, look deeper within and, for goodness sake, open our eyes. There are great works of art by Mother Nature herself that we brush by, step on and simply ignore in our quest for the bigger and better. While focused on SMS, iPods and iPads, the world is not only passing us by, but we are at increased risk of getting run over by it.

So I ask you: Is there any hope left for being struck by unsolicited, unplugged inspiration?"

READ MORE:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-inspiration.html

Creativity Exercise

Fabric

I’m fortunate to be part of a photography evaluation group. About ten of us meet once a month in someone’s home to share a few of our images, and receive constructive critique. This group has been a huge source of inspiration and encouragement for me. I recommend the experience! To find a group like this, check out your local camera club; that’s where my group began.

Each month, our group sets a theme for ourselves, to give ourselves a creative nudge. Sometimes the theme is related to a style of shooting (for example "high key.") Other times, it’s related to a post-processing technique that we want to explore. And other times, like this month, it’s a particular subject matter. We are currently exploring "fabric" as our theme. I thought I’d pass this on, and see if it sparks any ideas for you. How do you interpret the theme? You can find a few of my fabric shots in my ongoing 365 project. Take a peek at June 18, 22, 23, 24, and 25.
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/365-project.html

Something Every Photographer Needs to Know: Tip of the Month

What Do Lines Do?

Most images contain some kind of lines. These can be boundaries between two different tones or colors, or they can be actual objects in the image like a road, the stem of a plant, or a human figure. Lines can even be implied by a series of repeated shapes.

Our brains are hard-wired to follow lines. We can’t help ourselves. That means that the main line in your image leads your viewer’s eye. You can use to it guide the viewer around the image, or to a particular point of interest.

Since our human brains are wonderful at forming associations, the orientation of lines in your image carries emotional impact, too. Horizontal lines imply calm, serenity and stability. Vertical lines convey strength, power and pride. Diagonal lines are dynamic, and signal motion, or change. Finally, curved lines can show hope, or sadness, depending on their upward or downward direction. Curved lines can be sensual. They lead your viewer on the slow and scenic route through your image.

Think carefully about using the lines in your subject matter to help you tell your story better.

See some examples here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/visual_design-elements.html

Cool Link of the Month

David Griffin on how photography connects us (a TED Talk)

David Griffin is the Director of Photography of National Geographic magazine. In this TED Talk, David discusses the story-telling power of photography. He talks about the power of photography to capture an event and, most importantly, our emotional connection to it. Images from National Geographic are used to illustrate the talk.
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_griffin_on_how_photography_connects.html

What’s New this Month at Ultimate Photo Tips

Your Thoughts

In last month’s poll, I asked you where you find photographic inspiration. Here’s the breakdown: A whopping 45% said Nature, and another 36% said "the world around us." Only a few of you said books (5%), other people (5%) and the Internet (9%).

What’s your favorite thing to photograph? I’ve just posted a new poll on my website today. Find it in the right-hand navigation bar on any page. Cast your vote, and then find out what others are saying.
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/

 

Don’t Forget to Join Us on Facebook

Ultimate Photo Tips is now on Facebook. Follow us there to keep track of what’s new, find creative inspiration, network with fellow enthusiasts, and check out an occasional photo or two!
http://www.facebook.com/UltimatePhotoTips

 

Photo Challenges

The topic of June’s photo challenge was "It’s All About the Light."This topic brought out some wonderful images, and will definitely be repeated in the future. There were some photographs with amazing natural light. There were a couple of great images (including the winning photo) where the photographer used artificial light to actually create the subject via light painting, or slow shutter speed. Others had beautiful light to light up the subject. Finally, there were some great and colorful shots of city lights. Check out the winning image of light painting by Lisa Ball here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-winner.html

The topic for July’s challenge is "Flowers." I can’t believe I haven’t used this topic yet! I just love flowers: growing them and photographing them. Inside, outside, close-ups, portraits, fields of them — let’s see those flower images…

Submit your "flower" image here:
https://ultimate-photo-tips.com/photo-challenges-july-2011.html

Happy shooting from Ultimate Photo Tips!

 

 

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