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Welcome to the 5th issue of PhotoFlash
Hi
I am thrilled to be able to bring to you this long-awaited edition of the Photoflash newsletter. And if you've visited the site recently, you will know that this is only one of many fantastic improvements going on at BetterPhoto.com.
The other exciting enhancements include a new Member Profile Page where you can control email notifications, see which classes you are enrolled in, access your Premium BetterPholio™ and Deluxe BetterPholio™, and see a list of all of your Discussion and Q&A activity at BetterPhoto.
Even more exciting than that, the camera has "arrived" at BetterPhoto. By that, I mean that we will now all be able to easily see what each other used to create particular photographs. This will help members hoping to learn better technique as well as members considering the purchase of a new camera.
We will also be soon offering an Image Sales option for those Deluxe BetterPholio™ owners who would not mind making a few bucks here and there. All this and more... it has been a great month at BetterPhoto.
So sit back and enjoy the newsletter - we have many inspiring images and discussions to share with you.
To read the online version of PhotoFlash at our Web site, visit http://www.betterphoto.com/photoflashes/
Have a great month!
Jim Miotke
http://www.betterphoto.com/MG.asp?ID=124
In This Issue: Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Featured Photo: Before the storm
 Before the storm IR-panorama. CONGRATULATIONS to all the finalists. I am not able to see them yet, I just know from Dolores' and Betsy's photos. |
Featured Article: How to Shoot Silhouettes by Kerry Drager
BetterPhoto instructor Kerry Drager offers many helpful tips in his article on shooting silhouettes. Kerry writes:
"When it comes to natural light, high contrast can mean high drama. Backlight extremes - resulting from a low-in-the-sky sun - can create one of outdoor photography's most dynamic showstoppers: the silhouette."
Visit Kerry's Deluxe BetterPholio™ to read this helpful article.
Read more...
Where in the World? To learn the correct answer to the last quiz - and see who came the closest, visit the previous Where in the World quiz. 3 Weeks Until Summer School - Online PhotoCourses™ at BetterPhoto.com New Photo Discussions Sam, yes I can and sorry I did not do so before. I used my Rebel 2000 28/80 lens with a polarizer and Velvia 50 ISO rated at 40, along with tripod. I do shots like this on overcast days or while in deep shade - this ensures a slow shutter speed and I shot this at about f/16 and 2sec. The polarizer helps darken the area plus cuts down on glare of rocks and so on. © Damian Gadal © Damian Gadal This shot was done as a 4 picture series with the model facing to both side and to the front and back. Her profile was really strong so I knew this was going to be the keeper. The background is a large seemless medium grey paper lit from the left side with one reflected head. The light is also flagged to keep some of the spill from hitting the dark side of the model. The model is positioned about 15 feet away from the background where she is lit from the right side with a large softbox positioned slightly higher than her face. It was difficult to get the correct amount of falloff on the background so I had to darken the right side of the background slightly in Photoshop. I'm pretty sure I remember shooting this around f8 at 90s. The series was originally in color but afterwards was transfered to black and white to keep that classic portrait kind of look that I feel better suited the set. Text was then added as a proof for my client. Thanks again all for taking your time to write. The Next Step: Where to Go From Here
Can you guess where this picture was taken? If you think you have a clue, try offering a response.
Make this summer an adventure by enrolling in a BetterPhoto photography course! Improve your picture-taking skills while having a great time enjoying the summer fun. Each class is focused on teaching you how to improve your understanding of photography through exciting weekly assignments and helpful critiques direct from the instructor. Learn more...
New Photo Discussion 1: Approaching Storm
Nicely done Jill, as always. Wonderful composition and beautiful colors. Looks like a painting. Just lovely.
Approaching Storm
Experimenting with a vintage medium format camera. Zeiss Ikon Nettar. It works! ;-) Lake Michigan (not nikon obviously)
- Betsy Zibas
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Response 1:Jill, lovely! Did you buy the camera used or just borrow it? Despite digital, I'm still very interested in medium format, possibly even large format but haven't made the leap yet. Any advice you can provide would be great (feel free to just email me - thanks).
- Sharon E. Lowe
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Response 2:Beautiful, Jill!!
- Carolyn Fletcher
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Response 3:Thanks! Sharon, I have been collecting vintage cameras and bought this one from e-bay hoping I could actually use it. I suggest doing some research (library and internet) to find out which cameras would suit you. I just bought a Bronica also. So many people are going digital and unloading their cameras on e-bay and through camera stores at great prices compared to new! If you have any specific questions feel free to e-mail me. I'm certainly no expert but have done a little research.
- Jill Battaglia
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Response 4:I agree that this loooks like a painting or even a water color at first. Very nice. Thanks for the input regarding medium format, since that's been an idea I wanted to pursue also.
- Conrad L. Conero
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Response 5:Beautiful! I was always intrigued by medium format..thanks for posting this!
- June Marie Sobrito
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 2: Lines
Very nice image. Can you 'fill' us in on your lighting technique? Great photo!
Lines
- Paul C. Gazzanigo
Response 1:Hi Paul, thank you for your very nice comment. The lighting was open shade, the Cannas plant is under the eave of the house on the east side. I took the photo in the late afternoon, so it was in shade with light from the open sky striking it. The background was masked off and replaced with a vertical gradient, color of my choice. Hope this helps, nothing requiring special equipment.
- Duane Carter
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 3: Monterey Aquarium, California
I love this shot, Brenda! The silhouettes are awesome, and the shades of blue really bring those jellyfish out.
Monterey Aquarium, California
© Brenda Tharp. All rights reserved.
- Matthew Roybal
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Response 1:Thanks, Matthew! It's a favorite place of mine in the aquarium, because people stand still in awe of the 'jellies' and you can get some really neat graphics going on.
- Brenda Tharp
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Creating Visual Impact
Beyond the Postcard
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 4: A Bit Of Paradise
Beautiful Darren, just wonderful!
A Bit Of Paradise
In Virginia
- Sharon D. Waters
Response 1:Very nice Darren, now can you share with us how to take a picture like this?
- Sam Jabri
Response 2:You sure show how beautiful Virginia is in all your work...great job, Darren!
- Ellen Peach
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Response 3:Thanks all for the very kind comments.
- Darren K. Fisher
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 5: Rooftop
Very nice patterns and colors. Unusual to see these tiles displayed in a horizontal format. I like it, though. Good eye.
Rooftop
gadal-imagery.com
- William Raco
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Response 1:Thanks Bill!
- Damian Gadal
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Response 2:I agree - can you tell us where this was shot? Where were you standing to get this point of view?
- Jim at BetterPhoto.com
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Response 3:
This was taken from the Tower at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse looking down - see the attached...
County Courthouse
gadal-imagery.com
- Damian Gadal
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 6: Untitled
She sure is a beauty, and so is your photo. Great in b&w and wonderfully composed. Good luck with this one.
Untitled
Nikon F5, 80-200mm Tokina
- Mette Vendelboe Jensen
Response 1:I love the pose and the way you shot the photo... very nice work... it really jumps off the page of thumbnails.
- Connie L. Carpenter
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Response 2:Beautiful pose Roy, I really love this one! Great lines.
- Margaret Z. Wolff
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Response 3:Beautiful, Roy! Can you share with us your lighting technique here? How did you get this lovely soft light? Is that a seamless paper white backdrop?
- Jim at BetterPhoto.com
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Response 4:
Thanks everyone for taking your time to view the shot. I appreciate the compliments. 
Untitled
- Roy Cox
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 7: Grace...
What a nice picture, Suzie. Good clarity and lovely colours.
"Grace..."
Minolta,Dimage 7i
- Mette Vendelboe Jensen
Response 1:I wanted to show more water because the rings were terrific, but then I'd lose the swan detail by cropping to save the close up of the swan. I lost the effect of the water with the swan...Oh well...I tried.
- Suzie Strasburg
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Response 2:I really like the water dripping off his bill, and the way the blue of the water reflects off the white feathers. Nice photo, Suzie.
- William Raco
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 8: Backlight & Morning Mist
Kerry: I love this photo. The way the light is backlighting the leaves and the misty background is perfect. I have been studying how the light comes through the leaves and trying to capture it, but you captured it just right. I look through your photos when I need to slow down, relax and get my thoughts together. They have a calming effect for me.
Backlight & Morning Mist
Yosemite National Park, California; 50mm lens, Kodachrome 64
- Pat Borowicz
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Response 1:Hi Pat: I'm pleased you like this shot ... thanks for all of your nice comments!
- Kerry A. Drager
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Field Techniques
Response 2:Hi Kerry. This photo is very mysterious and mind provoking. I anticipate something unseen preparing to strike... It is amazing how you can capture the real world and make it look so surreal. The background mist looks like rising steam from the middle of the earth...
- Donna Rae
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Response 3:Hi Donna: I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this photo, and thanks for sharing them! This is one of the reasons I love sunrise; you never know when you'll wake up to mist like this!
- Kerry A. Drager
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Response 4:Yes, It is my favorite time of the day. I am never ever up any later that 5 am. Well, you are an inspiration to all of us, Kerry. I look foward to seeing more of these surreal visions.
- Donna Rae
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Response 5:Kerry, I absolutely love this photo! I will be taking a trip up to the redwood forests here in a week or so, I can't wait to share some of my photos in my gallery! Absolutely amazing work you do! I am just a beginner, and I mean very beginner! I am very impressed with your work... Keep them coming!
- Jason W. Hanscom
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Response 6:Hi Jason: Thanks for your comments. I just checked out your Premium BetterPholio™ - some very nice photos ... keep up the good work and enthusiasm!
- Kerry A. Drager
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Field Techniques
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
If you would like to be featured in PhotoFlash, we look for photo discussions that educate, inspire, and encourage BetterPhoto members. In the spirit of helping others become better photographers, we encourage you to share details, tips, and techniques in your discussions... after all, that is what BetterPhoto is all about - honest answers for budding photographers.
Until next time, thanks for reading and keep having fun with photography!
Jim Miotke
BetterPhoto.com, Inc.
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