Welcome to the 19th issue of PhotoFlash
Hi
Tons of exciting news for October! BetterPhoto's fall season of online photo courses begins Wednesday, October 6th, and our schedule is better than ever. Stop by our courses page at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photography-courses.asp
Also, my new DVD - "Digital Photography Unleashed: Capturing Wildly Great Photos" - officially hits the streets late this month. But, in a Special Limited Edition Offer, you can pre-order it before October 30th and receive an autographed, numbered copy (1 of 500) - while supplies last. You will also get the DVD at a special discounted price of $19.95 ($5 less than retail). And order now and you will also get a bonus signed 5 x 7 print. These DVDs are selling quick! Pre-order your copy today at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/ourProductDetail.asp?productID=1256
Besides my DVD, our online store also showcases the work of other BetterPhoto instructors. Now, each month, we are also putting a book or DVD in the spotlight! Starting things off is Tony Sweet's inspirational (and informational) book, "Fine Art Nature Photography." Buy it before the end of October and you will receive free U.S. shipping. Best yet, it's autographed by Tony! For all the details on this October selection, go to:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/ourProductDetailLg.asp?productID=1173
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: Sunday, October 03, 2004
Featured Photo: The Cloud
Featured Article: Shooting Water in Motion: Going With The Flow
Water in motion is ever-changing and ever-magical. That's especially true when it comes to slowing down the shutter speed and capturing a beautiful sense of soft movement. This technique can be applied to waterfalls, streams, ocean surf, and fountains. So how do you achieve the necessary slow shutter speed to record those soft and slow effects? Instructor Kerry Drager shares his tips and thoughts in a new article; 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.
BetterPhoto's Fall Online School Ready to Roll!
| |
| This is the season for a burst of photographic excitement and creativity, but time is getting short, since classes begin this Wednesday, October 6th. If you have been thinking about signing up for an online photo course, don't hesitate. A number of classes are already filled to the brim, and still others are nearing capacity. Still, there are plenty of fun courses with space available. And there's something for just about everyone. In fact, BetterPhoto courses cover all skill levels in such categories as Composition and Design; Digital; Lighting and Exposure; Photoshop; Business; 4 Week Short Courses; Specialty Subjects; and Technique. For all the course details, go to: Learn more... |
New Photo Discussions
New Photo Discussion 1: Trastevere Blue Laundry
Trastevere Blue Laundry
Rome, Italy, summer afternoon, during Ferragosto, Aug 15th when Rome is empty but for a few. Hanging laundry in Rome is the norm, whether you are wealthy or poor, most Romans think it is best to hang laundry to keep the clothes fresh and then have them ironed with a crisp fragrance.
© Diane Epstein
Pentax Optio 430RS... |
I love your composition! It's so peaceful, relaxing and charming
- Anatoly Rodionov
Response 1:Grazie mille! It actually was a very relaxing, peaceful day and I was just wandering through the neighborhood of Trastevere without even a passerby in site, which is rare. I had a small camera in my purse and although I hadn't planned on taking photos that day I felt that I had Rome to myself so I went in search of laundry for hours down all my favorite hidden streets.
Where can I see your photos? Thanks again for the lovely compliment.
- Diane Epstein
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 2: Dolphin Sunset 1
This image is spectacular. Is it an original or created with photoshop? Very cool shot!!!!!!!
- Donna Pagakis
See Donna's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Great shot! Amazing! Beautiful! Love it!
- Jonna Bergström
See Jonna's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 2:Thank you. I'm glad you like the image. It is totally original with no digital manipulation. The image was taken at Anthony Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras. The shot was taken with a Tamron 28-200mm zoom lens on a Nikon 8008s camera using Fujichrome Velvia 100 slide film. The slide was then scanned with a Nikon Coolscan 4000 slide scanner. I did not record the camera settings, but I metered for the sunset while keeping the shutter speed as fast as possible to freeze the dolphin and water.
- Michael A. Gunter
Visit michaelgunterphotography.com - Michael's Deluxe BetterPholio™
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 3: Under My Umbrella
Under My Umbrella
9/25/04, 1:37 p.m., f/4, 1/100, ISO 100, 70-300mm quantaray lens at 70mm. My son uses his new umbrella for the first time and is quite taken by it:-)
© Jan Stadelmyer
Canon EOS Digital ... |
This is just beautiful, Jan! Love the expression and colors. Great job.
- Alan L. Borror
See Alan's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:The colors are great, look at those beautiful eyes! Very sweet expression on his face. Tut tut, it looks like rain.
- Amy N. Cappelli
See Amy's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 2:Gorgeous shot of his beautiful eyes. Unbrella really adds to this portrait.
- Donna W. Neal
See Donna's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 3:Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments, Alan, Amy, Paul, Debby, Charlene, Joy, Allan, Claudia, Carolyn, Donna, Darren, Kathleen, Murry, and Mike! I so appreciate them:-) Amy, my son ACTUALLY goes around saying that "tut, tut, it looks like rain!" He was even doing it in the car today on the way to the butterfly garden. I am LOVING this new lens! My son is NOT a poser, but I can get great candids of him like this one from more of a distance. When he doesn't know I am watching, he ends up giving me the GREATEST expressions:-)
- Jan Stadelmyer
See Jan's Premium BetterPholio™
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 4: Hidden Petals
Hidden Petals
A flower reveals iteslf differently from each new perspective. Here, the hidden side of these petals unfold into an impressive display of color and form.
© Dan J. Holm
Nikon D70 Digital ... |
Looks like a gorgeous pumpkin-colored waterfall, Dan. Love the textured detail in the green ... Wonderful macro!
- Mary K. Robison
See Mary's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Yes! Very different perspective, Dan! Superb macro! Absolutely Gorgeous! Incredibly sharp and vibrantly colorful! Great work, my friend! Makes me think seriously about buying a D70.
- Sanjay Pindiyath
See Sanjay's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 2:Dan - you never fail to inspire me to "look" at things in a unique & new way. You have captured this flower just perfect. All the best.
Donna (from "down under")
- Donna Roberts
Response 3:LOve the lines radiating down to the lrc, Dan! And the contrasting colors are great too! Well done as usual!
- Dolores Neilson
See Dolores's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 4:WOW!!! This is magnificent, Dan! Super lines and detail and color. Very unique image and a different way to photograph a flower!!!!
- Robin L. Wehrman
See Robin's Premium BetterPholio™
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 5: Lily
How did you make this picture? Using multiple exposures? I love it!
- Lisa B. Gimber
Response 1:9 multiple exposure. Thanks much!
- Tony Sweet
See Tony Sweet's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Tony Sweet's Web Site - TonySweet.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Tony Sweet:
Image Design: Revealing Your Personal Vision
Fine Art Flower Photography
Fall Course Extension with Tony Sweet
Response 2:Is there any way to get a shot like that with a digital camera and lens that only costs about $500? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. In the meantime, I use a manual SLR and get film developed onto CDs. Singing the flat broke blues, Lisa
- Lisa B. Gimber
Response 3:Cost or an expensive lens is really not the issue, Lisa. The camera has to be capable of performing multiple exposures. Some are and some aren't. I use a Fuji S2, and it does multiple exposures. After having the right equipment, then the look is achieved through a specific technique that is a bit long to explain, but is taught in my online Image Design class and in my book, "Fine Art Nature Photography," which is currently the Book of the Month at Betterphoto.com.
- Tony Sweet
See Tony Sweet's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Tony Sweet's Web Site - TonySweet.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Tony Sweet:
Image Design: Revealing Your Personal Vision
Fine Art Flower Photography
Fall Course Extension with Tony Sweet
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 6: Indian Girl at Temple
How did you come up with a holy look of the girl and the clarity???.
- surae
Response 1:Surae,
The combination of the long lens with a large lens opening and a very willing little girl made this image a success.
Bryan
- Bryan F. Peterson
See Bryan Peterson's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Bryan Peterson's Web Site - BryanFPeterson.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Bryan Peterson:
Bryan Peterson's One Year Marketing Course Extension
Learning to See Creatively
Understanding Exposure
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 7: Inside Ground Zero
Great image Patrick!
- Goshka Grabowska
Response 1:Thank you, Goshka! This was my first trip to NYC in almost 30 years.
- Patrick Campbell
See Patrick's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit PatrickCampbellphotos.com - Patrick's Deluxe BetterPholio™
Response 2:And I actually live there, but haven't been to Ground Zero in a long, long time. That's probably because I spent too much time there 3 years ago. Where exactly did you find your shot?
- Goshka Grabowska
Response 3:This was shot inside the temporary PATH station, which has its entrance at ground level on the east side. one floor above the bottom where the trains stop, they have this open area with quotes on a background such that you can see on two sides into the center of the Ground Zero area. In the photo in the background is the opening of one of the train tunnels that used to go into the World Trade Center complex.
- Patrick Campbell
See Patrick's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit PatrickCampbellphotos.com - Patrick's Deluxe BetterPholio™
Response 4:Goshka, in my Premium BetterPholio™ is another shot that I took from the same location.
- Patrick Campbell
See Patrick's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit PatrickCampbellphotos.com - Patrick's Deluxe BetterPholio™
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 8: My Prince II
Nice capture, Mary-Ella. I love frogs, and this one is an excellent specimen!! Love those shades of green too:-)
- Wendy Stevenson
See Wendy's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Great capture, Mary- Ella!!! Love the perspective and clarity.
- Duane Carter
See Duane's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 2:Outstanding capture and close-up. You can really see the eyes. This is awesome Mary-Ella!!!!
- Robin L. Wehrman
See Robin's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 3:Wow, this sure is sharp. I feel as if he's right here in the room with me! The sharpness of those eyes is amazing. So well done, Mary-Ella! A winner in my book! :-)
- Patricia Marroquin
See Patricia's Premium BetterPholio™
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 9: Sunset, Lake Huron, ON
First of all, great shot, Peter! Love the setting sun casting a faint glow on the water. How did you meter this exposure? Did you get a reading from the sky away from the sun? What sort of lens did you use?
Thanks.
- Frank P. Luongo
See Frank's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Thanks, again, Frank. I used the camera's evaluative metering system and pointed at an area of water just below the sun. I moved the lens around a bit, watching the exposure change in the electronic viewfinder. When it looked just right, I took the photo. (This is an advantage in digital photography.)
The camera (not in stores yet) has a built-in Leica 36-432mm (equivalent) zoom lens and image stabilizer.
- Peter K. Burian
See Peter Burian's Premium BetterPholio™
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Peter Burian:
Digital Photography with Guest Instructor Peter Burian
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 10: Morning Glories...or Morning's Glory
So beautiful! Looks like they have little lights in side them. I love morning glories!!
- Janet L. Detota
See Janet's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:That's what made me stop to take the picture. The glow from inside. The light was coming from the left, hitting the back part of the flower, the white tube area, and it glowed. But I didn't want the harsh light on the flowers, so I used a diffusion disc (parachute silk) to soften the light on the blossoms, and let the sunlight hit just the back of the flowers to produce that glow effect.
- Brenda Tharp
See Brenda Tharp's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Brenda Tharp's Web Site - BrendaTharp.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Brenda Tharp:
Creating Visual Impact
Beyond the Postcard: Creating Memorable Travel Photos
4-Week Short Course: Mastering Macro Photography
4-Week Short Course: Mastering Macro Photography (2nd Session)
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 11: When Nature Gives You Rain ...
Love the DOF and clarity of the drops. Leaves are one of my passions!
- Janet L. Detota
See Janet's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Thanks, Janet. Now the real story. I was on assignment for a travel magazine to do a story on fall hiking in the mountains just outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. While waiting in the VW van for a break in the rain, this leaf fell on the window - and a little voice inside me said, "Aha! now that's interesting." I had to spread the tripod out over me and the passenger seat (where I was sitting at that time), and it was quite a fight to the finish to get the tripod in position, but I knew I needed it for stability and for the depth of field that I wanted, since the windshield had a little slope to it. It was worth it in the long run. And, it rained for two days and I never got the fall hiking pictures we had hoped for. Fortunately, there was another weekend opportunity for those...
- Brenda Tharp
See Brenda Tharp's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Brenda Tharp's Web Site - BrendaTharp.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Brenda Tharp:
Creating Visual Impact
Beyond the Postcard: Creating Memorable Travel Photos
4-Week Short Course: Mastering Macro Photography
4-Week Short Course: Mastering Macro Photography (2nd Session)
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 12: Yellow, Red, Dew
Nice image, Kerry!
- Wilson Valentin
See Wilson's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Hi Wilson, and thanks so much for commenting ... I'm pleased you like it!
Kerry
P.S. For anyone interested, a few details on this image:The "Story" Behind the Making of This Picture:
Exposure: A light-and-shadow scene like this is definitely a metering challenge. Here's how I handled it: I filled up the viewfinder with the red (a middle tone in the light) and took a meter reading. I then "locked" in those exposure settings, re-composed, and shot the scene ... knowing the resultant photo would show the flower well-exposed against the dark background.
Focusing: The depth of field (the range of focus from front to back in a picture) is always tiny in extreme close-ups or macro shots - even with a small aperture. The key: Pick the precise part of your subject you want sharp and make sure your lens directly focuses on it. I find it easiest to switch to manual focus when shooting close-ups.
Lighting Conditions: A small scene like this is a "natural" for foggy conditions - thanks to the pleasing light and morning mist. I also had two verrrrry nice bonuses: A dark background (so my subject stands out in contrast) AND a total lack of wind (to keep the delicate flower in place)!
- Kerry Drager
See Kerry Drager's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Kerry Drager's Web Site - KerryDrager.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Kerry Drager:
Point, Think, and Shoot: Beyond the Snapshot
Field Techniques: Dynamic Outdoor Photography
4-Week Short Course: Details and Close-ups
4-Week Short Course: Details and Close-ups (2nd Session)
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 13: Camden, Maine
Brenda, I love this photo. As I peruse your gallery, I continue to be impressed by your clever use of light. Can I ask what kind of sidelighting you used? Presumably light comes from the right, but at which angle?
- Frank P. Luongo
See Frank's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Thanks for the nice comments about my use of light. Of course, that's what photography is, writing with light, so it's great when you can use it to bring out your subjects in a dramatic way. In this case, as in many cases, I don't really pay attention to the actual angle of its direction, but it was somewhere around 60 degrees to my right, maybe less. You can see that the light is hitting both the sides of the building, but not the boats, because the angle they were to the light. Hope this helps!
- Brenda Tharp
See Brenda Tharp's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Brenda Tharp's Web Site - BrendaTharp.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Brenda Tharp:
Creating Visual Impact
Beyond the Postcard: Creating Memorable Travel Photos
4-Week Short Course: Mastering Macro Photography
4-Week Short Course: Mastering Macro Photography (2nd Session)
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 14: Autumn Leaves on Dried Stream Bed
Awesome Image, Brenda!
- Wilson Valentin
See Wilson's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Thanks, again, Wilson! I get a lot of people asking if I set this up with the leaves, but the awesome experience was finding them scattered all over this dried streambed after a wind had taken them off the trees. I look for intimate scenes like this when I am out photographing - I find that often, the close-up details are more exciting and can tell the story in a better way than the bigger scene.
- Brenda Tharp
See Brenda Tharp's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Brenda Tharp's Web Site - BrendaTharp.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Brenda Tharp:
Creating Visual Impact
Beyond the Postcard: Creating Memorable Travel Photos
4-Week Short Course: Mastering Macro Photography
4-Week Short Course: Mastering Macro Photography (2nd Session)
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 15: Turquoise 2
Excellent lighting effects.
- Ahmed Zulfiquar
Response 1:Thank you! It was natural daylight inside a rather enclosed doorway. The Fuji Velvia 50 film that I used has an unusually warm quality to it, and that is what kept her skin tones nice and golden in spite of all the cool tones around her.
- Vik Orenstein
See Vik Orenstein's Premium BetterPholio™
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Vik Orenstein:
Photographing Children
Studio Portrait Lighting
The Business of Photography
Beginning Photography with Guest Instructor Vik Orenstein
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 16: Watermelons
Nicely seen, Donna. Love the lines in the background against the round melons. Great colors too!
Judy
- Judith G. Secco
See Judith's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Super image design Donna! Love the sunrise line of the roofing and the curved lines of the melons plus all that bright color!! Nicely done.
- Murry Grigsby
See Murry's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 2:Wow, thanks everyone. I'm really pleased with the response on this one. When I saw these melons at a roadside stand last night, I knew that it would be a good image opportunity and it was ... I sincerely appreciate all of your comments. ~Donnarae
P.S.: I bought a melon and was cherry red, juicy and seedless. A good one!
- Donna Rae
See Donna's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit DonnaraePhotography.com - Donna's Deluxe BetterPholio™
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
New Photo Discussion 17: Fence & Shadows 2
Great shot!!Love the geometric pattern.
Shadows give nice depth to composition.
- Frank P. Luongo
See Frank's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 1:Hi Kerry;As I said before I love this shot.
Now that my photo course is teaching us about lighting; frnt,back,45 degree side, and 90 degree side lighting; I feel it is appropriate to ask you what type of lighting you used. Thanks
Frank
- Frank P. Luongo
See Frank's Premium BetterPholio™
Response 2:Hi Frank: Thanks so much for your nice comments ... I'm glad you like this photo! An excellent question on the lighting, since the sun's angle was definitely important in this case. Here's more:I passed by this country scene many times before actually shooting it. (Yes, sometimes the best subjects are indeed right in our own "back yard"!) My quick drive-bys were during a bright-and-harsh midday - i.e., washed-out colors, few shadows, not very inspiring. One late afternoon, however, I packed up my camera gear and set out to capture this fence when the sun was low, the shadows were long, and the light was warm. Unfortunately, the sun dropped behind some distant trees before I finally figured out the best camera angle and the best focal length (a tele-zoom to isolate the "geometric patterns"). Thus, my intended shooting session turned into a scouting session ... since the image you see here was actually shot a day later. Incidentally, it took some experimenting with camera angles in order to get the shadows in all the right places and in order to capture the entire fence with the blue sky as a backdrop. The best lighting angle turned out to be halfway between sidelight (i.e., the sun hitting the scene directly from the left) and frontlight (the sun coming directly behind me).
- Kerry Drager
See Kerry Drager's Premium BetterPholio™
Visit Kerry Drager's Web Site - KerryDrager.com
Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Kerry Drager:
Point, Think, and Shoot: Beyond the Snapshot
Field Techniques: Dynamic Outdoor Photography
4-Week Short Course: Details and Close-ups
4-Week Short Course: Details and Close-ups (2nd Session)
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion |
| |
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you would rather not receive PhotoFlash, you may unsubscribe at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/subscribeun.asp?e=
To change your email address, visit:
http://www.betterphoto.com/subscribeCOA.asp?e=
