Welcome to the 17th issue of PhotoFlash
Hi
Lots of exciting news for August! First, I want to announce an awesome combo workshop with BetterPhoto instructor Charlie Borland. This combination on-location and online workshop - September 26th to October 2nd, 2004 - is a unique opportunity to explore and shoot the fantastic Southeastern Oregon scenery with a top photographer and instructor. Learn all about it at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/wildlife-photography/charlie-borland-steens-oregon.asp
Second, our lineup of fall photo courses is shaping up to be the best ever. In fact, we have such an incredible array of online classes. See all the details in the item below, or go to:
http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photography-courses.asp
As for this issue of PhotoFlash, there's lots of interest! In his article, instructor Kerry Drager shares his thoughts and tips about the refreshing beauty of early-morning photography. Also, be sure to check out this month's Featured Photo, "What a Wonderful World," and then see if you can figure out just Where in the World the other featured photo was taken. Lastly, don't miss our collection of photos discussions - as always, it's a dynamic batch that's filled with inspiration and information.
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, August 04, 2004
Featured Photo: What a Wonderful World
Featured Article: An Early Start Can Be A Great Beginning
One of outdoor photography's most valuable accessories is something most of us already own - an alarm clock! And, adds BetterPhoto instructor Kerry Drager: Dawn photography can be a spectacular wake-up call. After all, there's nothing quite so satisfying as starting out the day with some beautiful images! In his article, "An Early Start Can Be A Great Beginning," Kerry shares his thoughts, tips, and techniques about getting up and getting out first thing in the morning. Read all about it at:
Read more...
Where in the World?
Can you guess where this picture was taken? If you think you have a clue, try offering a response.To learn the correct answer to the last quiz - and see who came the closest, visit the previous Where in the World quiz.
Check Out Our Fall Schedule of Online Courses!
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| BetterPhoto's lineup of online courses includes something for just about everyone - from novice to advanced. The courses cover such subjects as: beginning photography, composition and the art of seeing, digital photography, shooting technique, business and marketing, lighting and exposure, and a nice variety of Photoshop and specialty subjects. For a rundown of all of our courses, go to: Learn more... |
New Photo Discussions
New Photo Discussion 1: This Is MY Parking Place!
This Is MY Parking Place!
Auto Focus, Exposure Compensation -0.3step no adjustments. Taken in a strip mall parking lot in Milwaukee, WI. There were lots of seagulls there.
© Betsy Morrow
Kodak EasyShare DX... |
This is very cute Betsy!!
- Donna Pagakis
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Response 1:Thanks, Donna, I must have looked like an idiot running around the parking lot taking pictures of seagulls. I have a feeling there are lots of people here that understand.
- Betsy Morrow
Response 2:How funny, Betsy! The title is perfect. I have an image of one pigeon saving a parking place for his buddies :-) Catching the one with his mouth open takes this over the top!
- Joannie M. Bertucci
Response 3:Thanks, Joannie. I pulled into the parking lot to go shopping and saw all the seagulls and grabbed my camera out of the back of the car thinking I might get something I could use in the animal category. When I saw the monthly theme "Humor," I thought this one fit better here. I really like how the birds are lined up like the pulled into the parking place.
- Betsy Morrow
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New Photo Discussion 2: Ultra Wide - Cyclists
Hi Peter: I really like this shot, especially the way you used your wide-angle to make the cyclist's helmet fit the corner of the frame. Boy, I guess this means you can use wide-angle lenses with DSLRs!
- Pat Borowicz
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Response 1:Thanks for your kind comment, Pat. Most people use wide-angle subjects for distant subjects such as landscapes. My favorite use is for close-ups. Yes, there is some wide-angle (perspective) distortion, but often that works fine. Cheers!
- Peter K. Burian
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New Photo Discussion 3: Crescent Moon
Crescent Moon
Kodachrome 64; eff. length 600mm; eff. aperture f/11; 1/15th (??); enlarged 2X
© John A. Lind |
Hi John! Beautiful composition!! I have always wanted to "shoot the moon", but all of mine come out blurry! How did you do this??
- Steve McCroskey
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Response 1:Focusing and eliminating camera shake are crucial. Focusing is done with extreme care. The lens is mounted to an extremely sturdy professional-grade tripod, and a cable release is used with great care to avoid shaking the camera while operating it. Although not used for this one, I now use a magnifier that slides onto the viewfinder (using the same viewfinder flange an eye cup would use) and an SLR body with a mirror lock-up that makes critical focusing easier and eliminates vibration from "mirror slap."With astro shots, watch your shutter speed! The moon obviously moves across the sky relative to your fixed location on the earth's surface. High magnification with very long focal lengths or through a telescope also magnifies its motion across the film frame. Too long a shutter speed will blur the moon's details from this motion. The alternative is an exceptionally accurate tracking using an "equatorial" mount with analog drive exactly matching the moon's angular motion across the sky that has been very carefully aligned to the combination of earth rotation on its axis and the moon's orbit. How long a shutter speed you can get away with from a fixed tripod depends completely on lens focal length (how much you are magnifying the moon and its motion). What looks like blur can also result from dew forming on the lens objective. Doesn't take much to fog the whole show! I use a deep lens hood and if I'm out for a while very late at night I will check the lens front for dew formation. Astronomers either work from a dome with aperture (one of the reasons for the dome) or will use a "dew shield" .. . a form of hood that warms the air in the hood very, very slightly to keep it two to three degrees above ambient (too much heat creates convection currents in the air that cause blur). If you haven't guessed it already, setup for astro photographs requires time and patience ... skill at reliably getting good photos comes with some experience doing it.
- John A. Lind
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New Photo Discussion 4: Looking for a Landing
Great shot! How did you get a picture from above him??
- Megan M. Hamilton
Response 1:Hi, Megan! Thanks for the compliment! I was on the third story of an observation tower that overlooks a gator breeding marsh. This fella made a graceful, dramatic sweep around the base before finding his perch. Glad I had a camera in my hand!
Regards,
Brad
- Brad Scruggs
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New Photo Discussion 5: California's Salt Point
Hi Susan and Neil,This is a most unusual picture. Where is Salt Point? I love ocean shots.
- Carol J. Marsh
Response 1:Salt Point is a state park near us, north of the mouth of the Russian River and it is full of MOONROCK. Incredible photo ops. We take people there on our North Coast photo workshop, but you can go there on your own. There are some special spots that we know for superb image opportunities. Glad to hear from you and look forward to hearing about more of your trips. We are off next week to teach a workshop in Washington and then Yellowstone and the Tetons in September and then the Calif. wine country in the beginning of October. Please see www.gapweb.com Would love to see you at one of these some day.
- Susan and Neil Silverman
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New Photo Discussion 6: Lone Flower - Vertical
Truly magnificent Shot! I have been inspired by how you create floral compositions ... especially since reading your exceptional book, "Understanding Exposure". There was a time I never paid attention to flowers - that has all changed thanks to you. As a budding professional photographer, I hope to one day create flower shots like yours.
For this photo, did you use a macro lens, telephoto, extension tubes? What technique did you use?
By the way, ALL your photos are terrific, including the floral shots.
Thanks.
- Frank P. Luongo
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Response 1:Frank - Thanks for your very kind comments. This image was shot with a 300mm lens and a 36mm extension tube - on a tripod, of course.
Bryan
- Bryan F. Peterson
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New Photo Discussion 7: Leeza
Oh my, I am almost speechless here, Joannie ... Beautiful portrait of Leeze!!! Her eye, her skin tone, the lighting, everything is so wonderful. Use of a baseball cap on a beautiful girl covering one eye is a very interesting concept but you certainly did the right thing imo ... Joannie, great to see you again but do come back more often.
- Nobi Nagase
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Response 1:Thank you very much, Nobi, and I promise I'll drop in more often!
- Joannie M. Bertucci
Response 2:Wow, she's gorgeous! It's been so long since I've seen a photo of Leeza. Very nice portrait, too. How have you been stranger? Welcome back. Like Nobi said, Come back soon. Bill
- William Raco
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New Photo Discussion 8: Flowers in Motion
This picture is very eye-catching. How did you make it look like they were moving?
- Crystal L. LaRose
Response 1:Thanks, Crystal! I set a very slow shutter speed and then moved the camera from left to right as the shutter snapped. It took a little practice, but I liked the effect on several that I took. Thanks again!
- Connie I. Chandler
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New Photo Discussion 9: Sundial Bridge at Sunset 2
Sundial Bridge at Sunset 2
f4.8, ISO 90, 1/40th, 28-90mm zoom, Sundial Bridge, 8:30pm, Redding, CA. No your eyes are not playing tricks on you. I shot this one at a funky angle on purpose for detail & a contrasting line of perspective. There are no supports in the water under this bridge. Makes it very Interesting if you see it from the bottom & the top. :)
© Michelle R. Nations
Nikon N65/F65 SLR ... |
Very cool, Michelle!! I love the angle at which you shot this pic!! Great idea!!
- Lisa Greer
Response 1:Excellent, Michelle. Love the angles!!!
- Leslie D. Cappama
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Response 2:Awesome, Michelle!! Love the angle, this is fantastic!!!!
- Jessica McCollam
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Response 3:Thanks, Lisa, Leslie, and Jessica! I guess I've always had a cock-eyed view of the world and I just proved it with this picture ... LOL! I just wanted something different and to give you the perspective line on it. LOL.
Jessica, you need to get out there to see for yourself! You'd love it! It's cool!
Thanks for the comments, guys! Have a great day!
- Michelle R. Nations
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New Photo Discussion 10: Chilled to the Bone
I like the contrasting colors of the frost and the winter blue in the background. Is this an evening or night shot, Cora? I am curious about those round snow/ice flakes ... appearing to be reflecting the evening lights. Very pretty ... it's great to see this image now that it's really getting Cen Tex hot weather down here.
- Nobi Nagase
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Response 1:Once again, Nobi, thank you for faithfully looking at my work and taking the time to leave a nice comment. This is another Yellowstone shot. It was taken early in the morning just as the sun broke through the snow clouds and the last snowflakes were falling. The opposite bank of the river in the background was still completely in the shade of the clouds. I just liked the way the sun was backlighting the hoarfrost. The snowflakes were a bonus that I wasn't expecting!
- Cora Miller
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New Photo Discussion 11: Split in the Rock, Sequoia N.P., CA
I love this picture, it is so cool. Great shot. SOOOOOO beautiful.
- Fawn S.
Response 1:Thanks, Fawn. I love when I discover neat things like this in nature. It really shows how persistent nature is, to grow wherever it can grow things ... glad you like it!
- Brenda Tharp
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Beyond the Postcard: Travel Photography
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New Photo Discussion 12: In Their World Series - Aphid
"In Their World" Series - Aphid
Aphid on a spent clematis bloom. Canon 100mm macro, extension tube, Nikkor 50mm lens attached in reverse, reflector, tripod & macro slider. 1/30 sec. @ f7.1, ISO 100.
© Michael Brown
Canon EOS Digital ... |
I like the futuristic look to this, Michael!
- Leanne M.E. Boyd
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Response 1:Wow, this is stunning, incredible detail and colours!
- Clifton Mair
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Response 2:Yeow! Pretty far out, Mike ... a glowing aphid!! The monchromatic colouring and backlit clematis gives it an otherworldly look. This series is really spectacular!! On a technical note, what does attaching the lens in reverse do?
- Laura Berman
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Response 3:Great Shot! This is amazing, love the detail and the lighting. I, too, have been wondering what these look like! My kids' books tell them how bugs eat aphids, but never show the aphids - I showed your picture to them!
- Megan M. Hamilton
Response 4:Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments. Makes me feel good that I must be doing something worth looking at! Laura, by attaching the 50mm lens in reverse to the macro, I can get "much closer" to the subject and a magnification range of 4x (I think). I need to figure that one out! Ha!
With some subjects, I can get the front of the lens less than 1/4" and still get everything in focus, but I like to play with it while using selective focus for that "dreamworld" type look.
Another great thing about using the 50mm in reverse is that there is virtually no loss of light.
Megan, glad you got to show this to your kids. My little boys told me that it reminds them of one of the "Pokemon" characters. Thank goodness they are over that though!!!
hehehe!!! Again, thanks everyone! Mike
- Michael Brown
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New Photo Discussion 13: Floral Study (Impression)
Floral Study (Impression)
...in the garden at sunset using a 105mm lens set at 1/15sec with full dof; Fujichrome Velvia 50 iso film. This is a multiple of nine exposures on one frame.
© Michael Khoury
Nikon FM3A SLR Cam... |
Gorgeous and extremely creative, Michael!
- Rob Friedman
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Response 1:Michael: Wonderful subtle color in your impressionistic creation. I bet this is beautiful print. Imaginative!
- Michael Allen
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Response 2:I just love these! I've been playing with this and I'm getting it, but nowhere near this beauty! This is so colorful ... nicely done Michael!
- Casey A. Hanson
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Response 3:Thank you Rob, Michael, Paul, Serena for commenting. Casey, when I started doing this, I was all over the place and the results were somewhat mediocre. After a while one gets the hang of it. I think I'm hooked on it now. I always find an element of sweet surprise ... and, as a bonus, the film lasts much longer and it's a great exercise in seeing.
- Michael Khoury
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New Photo Discussion 14: Neon Fourth
What kind of speed should I use and should I use the flash to take a picture like this? Thanks.
- Jim Marrelli
Response 1:Jim, flash will do nothing for you. In order to get a shot like this, you need a camera with Bulb setting and a shutter release cable. Use an f/stop of 11 or 15. It would be better for this shot with a telephoto lens to get close to the fireworks. Set the shutter speed to Bulb, and just fire and hold the shutter open for, like, 10 seconds. You can also hold the shutter open and capture one burst, the cover the lens with you hand until another rocket goes up and uncover the lens. Do this for a length of about 30-40 seconds. Use various times. You need to have the camera on a tripod. My shot was actually captured like that by having my lens resting on someone's shoulder. The slight movement made the shot.
- Toni A. Martin
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Response 2:Jim, do not use program of any kind. This is strictly a manual shot. Bracket your shots from 10 seconds up to a minute. You will get different levels of exposure, but you still should get something nice.
- Toni A. Martin
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New Photo Discussion 15: Great Spangled Fritillary
Beautiful image Karen!!!!
- Shirley L. Carpenter
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Response 1:I love butterflies and I am always curious as to how you get them to stay put long enough to get a shot. This is a beautiful image, to say the least.
- Arya C. Wiese
Response 2:Thank you, Shirley, Donna, Kathleen, Arya and Karen, for your comments. Arya, most of the time, it's just having a lot of patience when photographing butterflies. I usually find a spot where they are feeding and stand completely still. Then it's just a matter of waiting until they find a good flower and nectar at it for a few minutes. Some butterflies are harder to get than others. I always use a tripod too.
- Karen Talasco
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New Photo Discussion 16: Under Mom's Protection
Under mom's protection
This is from my friend's garden, I snuck over when she wasn't home. Auto settings, early evening, with light flash, no adjustments or manipulations (not even cropping!)
© Diane L. Dupuis-Kallos
Fuji Finepix S5000... |
Very pretty Diane!
- Rob Friedman
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Response 1:Very pretty Diane !! LOL !! Least she is your friend... I tend to find myself sneaking into strangers' yards. Most of them are pretty nice about it.. lol...
- Cathy Maddy
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Response 2:Thanks Rob, Cathy! I know someone suggested just ringing their bells and asking for permission, but I'm too afraid of rejection!
- Diane L. Dupuis-Kallos
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Response 3:You little sneak, Diane, we all do it, eh… Marvelous photograph and presentation. I love the coloring and the DoF. I wouldn't suggest this technique at the Tiger compound at Parc Safari, though. (he, he, he) Very well done, my very dear friend - Allan
- Allan L. Whitehead
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The Next Step: Where to Go From Here
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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