Welcome to the 18th issue of PhotoFlash
Hi
September has gotten off to an amazing start at BetterPhoto! Starting things off is our new Photo of the Day newsletter!
The Photo of the Day begins September 7th, the day after Labor Day, and will offer a daily dose of visual inspiration. Along with an outstanding, awe-inspiring photo, you can expect brief updates and the occasional photo tip from one of our talented instructors. Of course, Photo of the Day is free, but you'll have to sign up for it. Learn more or subscribe today at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/subscribe.asp
We are also excited about the launch of our new short-course program for this fall ... 4-week online "Short Courses"! These courses will focus on a variety of specialty subjects and will run twice each session. Leading the way is BetterPhoto instructor Kerry Drager's Short Course, "Details and Close-ups". Check out this new course as well as our regular 8-week classes at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photography-courses.asp
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: Thursday, September 02, 2004
Featured Photo: Juicy!
Featured Article: Great Portrait Opportunities in the Great Outdoors
Picturing people is always a creative pursuit, as demonstrated by BetterPhoto shooters. That's especially true with outdoor portraits - and whether formal, casual, or candid, such scenes feature the beauty of natural light.
For a fantastic monthly "lesson" in outdoor portraiture, analyze the portrait images among the BP contest winners and finalists. And, in his new article, instructor Kerry Drager offers a number of tips on lighting, composition, and backgrounds.
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.
Photo of the Day: New Daily Newsletter Kicks Off Next Week!
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| We are thrilled to announce the September 7th launch of our free daily newsletter, Photo of the Day. This email will serve as a daily showcase of outstanding pictures! The images will be selected from either our monthly photo contest or from the excellent work of our online course instructors. In addition to being inspired by awe-inspiring images each day, you'll receive brief announcements and occasional photo tips from our team of instructors. We hope you will enjoy this awesome new treat - every day! To learn more or to subscribe, visit: Learn more... |
New Photo Discussions
New Photo Discussion 1: Taking a Break
Terrific capture, Pat. I love the comp and lighting!
- Susan T. Evans
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Response 1:Thank you, Susan. I didn't have much time to get set up for this shot, but when I saw him put his hand to his mouth, I knew I had the shot I was looking for!
- Pat Borowicz
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New Photo Discussion 2: Young Mallard Duck
Magnificent "capture" and photograph, Beverley. I love the macro, crop, colors, and then background, DoF. Very well done, my friend - your friend, Allan
- Allan L. Whitehead
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Response 1:Thank you, Allan!! I set the lens to 300mm and then turned the macro feature on. This is the full-frame size of the original 35mm transparency. The border around the image and a bit of sharpening after scanning was added in PS7 :)
Thank you Diane, Evy, Colette, and Kathleen!!! Your feedback is always appreciated :)
- Beverley Lu Latter
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New Photo Discussion 3: STACKED
What do ya know ... I have a stack like this sitting right outside my house. I never thought to take a pic of them. Very interesting, Donna ... I like it!!!
- Cathy Maddy
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Response 1:Now who besides you would think of shooting this?? Nobody probably, that's why your stuff is so different and good. Nobody else thinks of it. LOL
- Carolyn Fletcher
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Response 2:I agree with Carolyn and Cathy, I would have never thought to take a picture of this either. It is very abstract and a great image, Donna!
- Donna W. Neal
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Response 3:Nice abstract image Donna! The lattice in the background really makes the photo complete!!
- Murry Grigsby
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New Photo Discussion 4: Throwing Spray into the Afternoon Sun....
Throwing spray into the afternoon sun....
aperture f 8.0, shutter 1/1000, lens Canon 600mm IS, Surfing at Ala Moana Bowl in Waikiki, time of day around 5PM
© Michael Rogers
Canon EOS-1D Mark ... |
Yikes, that's one big roller. Fantastic capture, Michael.
- Wayne Brasch
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Response 1:Excellent capture, Michael!! I really like how you froze the water and the expression on the person's face is interesting.
- Isabel K. L
Response 2:Thanks Isabel, Dorothy, Casey and Donna for your swell comments. It's amazing the response you get when shooting during that late in the day - the "magic hour" of daylight.
- Michael Rogers
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New Photo Discussion 5: Sunset Mono Lake
GREAT SHOT! How did you expose this shot? Did you meter from the sky? Thanks.
- Frank P. Luongo
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Response 1:Frank, I wish I could remember if I used a graduated Neutral Density filter or not. Either way, I always meter for the brightest area and then set my meter to make sure it does not get overexposed. I shot this with a 4x5 view camera and metered with a 1 degree spot meter. I placed the lightest sky value on Zone 6 1/2 or 1 1/2 over what the meter read. I hope that helps. If I used the graduated filter, then I placed the reading 3 1/2 stops over and used the filter to bring the exposure down.
- Lewis Kemper
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Photographer's Toolbox for Photoshop®: Toolbox #1
Photographer's Toolbox for Photoshop®: Toolbox #2
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New Photo Discussion 6: Valley of the Moon, Sonoma
Love your photos, Jed, but this is probably my favorite.
Regards,
Debby(Your humble student)
- Deborah C. Lewinson
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Response 1:Thanks Debby, it's one of my favorites also. It was late afternoon, so the low angle of the sun helped accentuate the lines, which really adds to the graphic effect. It's an interesting mix of line, pattern and texture. It's also a good example of why we should always carry our cameras with us. I saw this image and responded to it, capturing it on film. I recently returned to the same location and the vineyard is completely different. If I had waited, I never would have been able to make this image.
- Jed Manwaring
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Getting Started: How to Make Great Photographs
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New Photo Discussion 7: Morro Bay Through Railing
Great Shot!
Another beautiful sunset silhouetting ... an interesting foreground.
Love the silhouetted linear patterns.
- Frank P. Luongo
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Response 1:Hi Frank: Thanks so much for your message ... I really appreciate it!
Kerry
P.S. For anyone interested in the "story" behind the making of this photograph:On Sunsets, Sunstars, and Silhouettes
Like many of my sunset shots, this image was "planned" during the flat, overhead, uninteresting sunlight of midday. That's when I found this scene and imagined what it might look like in the beautiful light of late day. As for the "special effects": Sunstar (sunburst): To achieve a sunstar, I carefully composed the scene so just a piece of the sun peeked out, and I set my lens for a small aperture (high f/stop number). More thoughts: No filter was used, since the extra glass can cause extra sun spots on the final image. Incidentally, there was an important side benefit of the small aperture: A deep depth of field (sharpness from the close foreground frame to the distant background).Silhouette: To ensure that the shadowed railing came out black and the distant scene turned out nice and colorful, I took a substitute meter reading on a middle part of the sky (not the brightest area, not the darkest). I then re-composed and fired away using those settings. More thoughts: Since the sunburst/deep DOF was a priority, I set the f/stop first (which can be done in either in Aperture Priority or Manual mode) before taking the alternate reading.
- Kerry Drager
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Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Kerry Drager:
Beyond Snapshots
Field Techniques
Course Extension
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New Photo Discussion 8: Kids at Sunset in Prince Edward Island
Hi Peter!
How did you take a meter reading when there is more than one area of bright light? The sunlight as compared with the white dress!
- Steve McCroskey
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Response 1:Steve: I used the camera's evaluative metering system and then fine-tuned the exposure in Photoshop.
Peter
- Peter K. Burian
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New Photo Discussion 9: Christa
Christa takes a great picture! Oh, and so do you, Kenton! You've captured a wonderful expression from an interesting perspective! Teriffic shot!
- Dan J. Holm
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Response 1:Great shot, Kenton. She's a very pretty model. I like the angle at which you took the shot and the lighting.
- Isabel K. L
Response 2:Oh ya, Christa is getting into the mood now. Fantastic shot, Kenton. Excellent job to Christa as well.
- Paul Michko
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Response 3:Hello, Paul! Great to hear from you and I sincerely thank you for the comments. She is a natural in front of the camera and I've posted several other images from that shoot in the 'People' section of my Web site. Thanks again!
- Kenton L. Elliott
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Response 4:Great angle and textures as well as a knowing "smirk" ... great work, Kenton.
- Wally Orlowsky
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Response 5:Great image, Kenton. You really know how to relax your models and capture the right expression. Very well done!
- Donna Rae
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New Photo Discussion 10: Old Boat 2
This is a very beautiful photograph Kerry!. I do not remember seeing it before. How are you?
Best Regards,
Amalia
- Amalia Arriaga de Garcia
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Response 1:Hi Amalia: How nice to hear from you ... and thanks so much for your nice comments!! I'm doing well, and I trust you are too! I'm so pleased that you like this image; following are a few thoughts about the making of this photo. Thanks again, Amalia!
KerryThe "Story" Behind the Picture
Like almost all of my sunrise photography while on trips or holiday, this image actually began the afternoon before. That's when I scouted out the marina and came up with the following sunrise strategy:
Plan "A": To catch a sunrise sky filled with great clouds and amazing colors. But, as you can see here, things were crisp and clear - i.e., no fantastic sky.
Plan "B": Fill up the picture frame with this eye-catching subject and then shoot it in wonderfully warm light ... against a vibrant blue early-morning sky. Besides the color contrast, I liked the great diagonal lines, too, and thought this tilted old boat would look verrrry nice from a wide-angle perspective.
An unplanned bonus: The reflection in the water - thanks to the incoming tide. Also unplanned: Soaked shoes and wet tripod legs, from wading into the water to get close enough with my wide-angle lens. Feet and tripod dried out, however ... and I got my shot!
- Kerry Drager
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Beyond Snapshots
Field Techniques
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New Photo Discussion 11: Green Eggs and Ham
Green Eggs and Ham
Every kid's dream breakfast! A study in complementary colors in one of BP's great classes. Taken outside on table, under umbrella - no flash. Canon 28-135 IS lens, late afternoon.
© Janelle Barry
Canon EOS Elan 7/7... |
:) These eggs look like they were eaten at least once before. :)
- Hermin Blendaro
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Response 1:At least!
- Janelle Barry
Response 2:Hmm ... looks really yummy!! I'm feeling like a kid right now ... lol. Great shot!
- Sanjay Pindiyath
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Response 3:Beautiful job, Janelle! The colors are so vivid, and that hand and REALLY freshly squeezed orange juice is a very nice part of the composition.
- Mary K. Robison
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Response 4:Thanks so much for your comments, Hermin, Sanjay, Kristen and Mary! It means a lot to me that you took the time to give your feedback. This was so much fun to shoot. I find I spend much more time on the creative aspect of my photos if I have an actual assignment - such as in these classes. For this lesson on complementary colors, I flashed back to the time my husband made green eggs and ham for our then-small sons, and their expressions of glee when they saw their very own Dr. Seuss breakfast. From that, a photo was born!
- Janelle Barry
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New Photo Discussion 12: Swan
Excellent photograph, Patrick! I really like the details and the look of the swan. How did you get so close to it?
- Isabel K. L
Response 1:You captured that posture that is graceful and a swan signature ... nicely done.
- Bonnie Lackey
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Response 2:Thanks, everybody! Isabel, this swan has been gracing a small lake that connects with the Sacramento River in downtown Redding. I went down there armed with my zoom tele and a loaf of bread. This is a full-frame shot at 135mm, which is effectively 200mm on the D100.
- Patrick Campbell
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New Photo Discussion 13: Fisherman, North Rustico, PEI
Love what the distortion has done... and what a character you've captured in his "environment!"Nancy
- Nancy Grace Chen
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Response 1:Thanks, Nancy.
Yeah, when using a 17mm lens, you expect to get some "distortion" of perspective, unless the entire subject is at the same distance from the camera.
I also made some images using a 70-200mm zoom, and those look more "normal" in perspective.
Cheers!
- Peter K. Burian
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New Photo Discussion 14: Hiphop
I love this picture, Barbara. How did you get such a great shot? (My camera has great difficulty with moving objects in dark places ...)
- Diane L. Dupuis-Kallos
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Response 1:Thanks Diane,
I, of course, used a tripod, ISO at 800, and the fastest speed I could use. I have a relatively new Canon Digital Rebel and set the white balance for tungsten lights (regular light bulbs in the auditorium. My daughter is in this dance group (3rd from the right), so I had seen the dance several times before the performance and knew what to expect. Of course, I took about 4 shots near this point and liked this best.
Barb
- Barbara Sherman
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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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