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Welcome to the 24th issue of PhotoFlash
Hi
March is shaping up to be an awesome month at BetterPhoto! Our expert instructor duo, Susan and Neil Silverman, have teamed up for another excellent course: "Street Photography." For all the details of this exciting new class, visit:
http://www.betterphoto.com/photocourses/SIL03.asp
This month, the BetterPhoto Store puts the spotlight on instructor Brenda Tharp's wonderful book, "Creative Nature & Outdoor Photography." If you buy it before the end of March, you will receive free U.S. shipping. Best yet, it's autographed by Brenda. For information, go to:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/ourProductDetailLg.asp?productID=1171
In addition, signups for our spring photo courses are well under way, and it's our best schedule yet. Check out our course listings at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photography-courses.asp
In this issue of PhotoFlash, don't miss instructor Bryan Peterson's article on action photography - specifically, panning. And, as always, we have a tremendous selection of photo discussions, with lots of ideas, information, and inspiration.
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, March 02, 2005
Featured Photo: Morning Commute
 Morning Commute Used a tripod so I could slow down the shutter speed to get the blur I wanted from the passing trolley. © Mary-Ella Keith MEBKphotoart.com Canon EOS 10D Digi... |
Featured Article: Shooting Action by Panning Your Subject ... by Bryan F. Peterson
If ever there was a creative exposure tool that could "turn up the volume" of a photograph it would have to be the shutter speed! That's the word from master photographer Bryan Peterson, who teaches Understanding Exposure and Learning to See Creatively at BetterPhoto. In his excellent article, Bryan tells how to pump up a photo's visual energy by panning a moving subject.
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. Street Photography: Exciting New Course by Susan and Neil Silverman! New Photo Discussions Christian The backdrop is a large piece of fabric (from Wal-Mart) draped over a PVC frame I built for my "studio". For lighting, I used one of those construction lights from Home Depot diffused with a sheet of sheer white fabric over a second PVC frame. There was also some natural light coming in through a window. My flash (SB800) was mounted on a Stroboframe and bounced off the white ceiling. This helped eliminate shadows cast by the other light sources. If memory serves, I bumped the flash output up by a full stop. 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.
© Paul A. Harrett
Nikon D70 Digital ...
All of us have witnessed a slice of life taking place in front of our eyes and wished we had the skills to capture the energy, the meaning, the momentum of that experience. In Street Photography, master photographers and popular instructors Susan and Neil Silverman will share techniques for using different camera functions and styles so you have that rapid reaction for recording street scenes. Also, this new BetterPhoto online course goes beyond the classic concepts of street photography: i.e., black-and-white images shot by the anonymous photographer. Color plays a big role, and there are times when interaction creates the dynamics for the image. Learn more...
New Photo Discussion 1: Crouching Dad, Flying Lad
Great shot, Christian, full of fun and colorful excitement, and clever title, too!
Crouching Dad, Flying Lad
F5, 1/640 sec, fill flash; full manual settings, especially prefocus at about 3 meters, for minimal shutter/flash lag. Plus numerous attempts... Alvin goes airborn in his sled at dusk. Le Cernix (Crest Voland) in the French Alps (Haute Savoie).
© Christian Harberts
Canon PowerShot G5...
- Carol Brill
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Response 1:Thanks Carol! Glad you liked the title - beats something like "Red Sled Jump" eh? Just back from vacation, feeling creative ...
- Christian Harberts
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 2: December Bride
Wow, a very beautiful photo and bride ... good job!
December Bride
This picture was taken the night before her wedding as it was the only time available. Settings were 1/45 sec, Tripod mounted, f/13, ISO 100 and Lens Focal length of 64.0mm. I used a three light setup and my third light was off to camera left with a honeycomb grid and blue gel to add effect. Minimal postprocessing in Photoshop CS.
© Kenneth J. Gimmi
Fuji FinePix S2 Pr...
- Arnold De Leon
Response 1:Thanks for your kind remarks. I love your picture of the cow in your gallery. This bride was a fantastic model. She was also a wonderful person and personality. I really enjoyed doing the photography for that wedding. I also performed the ceremony, so I really got to know both her and her new husband.
- Kenneth J. Gimmi
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 3: Stressed Out
Cool technique, so well-thought-out.
Stressed Out
One bottle and a 30 second exposure. Placing a black felt cover over the lens while panning, I panned the camera across the frame to create several bottles. No manipulation such as cut/paste. Basic editing done in PS CS for color and brightness.
© Sharon D.
Nikon D70 Digital ...
- Roger C. Bernabo
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Response 1:This is great, Sharon ... great work and love the title!!!
- Charlene Bayerle
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Response 2:Very creative. Unique technique and well-executed!! Fantastic job, Sharon!
- Marcie Fowler
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Response 3:WOW, Sharon - this is awesome. Your creative juices are really flowing!!!! Great idea!
- Stacey D. Martin
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Response 4:Great work with the camera
- Cathy I. Barrows
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 4: Disconnected
What an excellent presentation!!! I like the treatment very much...very creative, Donald!!
Disconnected
Handheld, available light from overhead florescent light, color and contrast adjusted and slight unsharp mask filter applied in Photo Impact 5.
© Donald K. Cherry
Fuji Finepix s7000...
- Arya Bandyopadhyay
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Response 1:Wonderful macro capture, Don!! Love the lighting and selective focus on this!! My new favorite from you, my dear friend!!
- Sanjay Pindiyath
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Response 2:Great macro, Don! The composition and selective focusing are great.
- Alan L. Borror
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Response 3:Super abstract, Donald! Nice DOF!
-cathy
- Cathy Gregor
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 5: Spring Blooms
Great lighting, colors, and background, Tom!
Spring Blums
Used AV mode with f 32 with black velvet background with a photo light with gold bounced light effect. Used Canon 17/85 mm Image stablized lens
© Tom J. Hughes
Canon EOS 20D Digi...
- Jim Kinnunen
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Response 1:Dear Jim,
I worked hard to get the right lighting. Bougbt a photographer's light (1500-watt bulb) and bounced the light off of a gold reflector. It gave it a soft feel, and the colors appeared to be real. Thanks for the comments.
- Tom J. Hughes
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 6: Curves and Contrasts
Love the bright, bold colors and simple composition, Gerda!
Curves and Contrasts
Taken in a chocolate and coffee shop in San Diego where we'd stopped to have some coffee and buy some chocolates. Used ambientlight. No flash. Aperture priority; ISO 200; f/5.6, ss 1/8. Hand held.
© Gerda Grice
Minolta Dimage A2 ...
- Dorothy Neumann
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Response 1:Beautiful composition and colors ... nice shot, Gerda!
- Ermanno Radice
Response 2:Gerda this a great image, wonderful composition, great colors, etc..
- Teresa P.Pelaez
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Response 3:Thank you so much, Teresa, Ermanno and Dorothy for your very kind compliments. I truly appreciate them! -Gerda
- Gerda Grice
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 7: Happy BP Appreciation Day!!!
What a fantastic, cheery image, Diane!! A fitting image for a wonderful message!
Happy BP Appreciation Day!!!
A special thank you to the fantastic staff at BP for the outstanding website and contest that you run every day and for the AMAZING upgrades and changes that you've recently put into place! You've created a home away from home for photographers of all levels where they can share their hobby (or obsession!) with this fantastic community! Thanks again for all that you do!!!
© Diane L. Dupuis-Kallos
Fuji Finepix S5000...
Excellent work!
- Dan J. Holm
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Response 1:Beautifully done, Diane! A colorful tribute to those who keep BetterPhoto "up and running."
- Mary K. Robison
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Response 2:Beautifully said, Diane. Terrific image too.
- Paul Michko
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Response 3:I love the colors! Very well done!
- Rob Friedman
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Response 4:Beautiful image and colors, Diane!!!
- Donna J. Taff
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Response 5:Great shot and sentiment, Diane!
- Dorothy Neumann
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 8: Dropping In
How awesome!!!!! There are no words to describe how GREAT this picture is.
Dropping In
f/4 @ 1/200; 100 mm macro lens; used flash, tripod and all my patience. I think the rings in the water are a universal symbol of balance and the drop is just a bonus.
© Vicki M. Tillard
wyowomanphotos.com
Canon EOS 10D Digi...
- Carrie Ann Maresh
Response 1:It's a great shot ... these water droplet photos always amaze me. I love the color - is that something that you've set up in advance, or is it created afterwards?
- Stephanie Lyons
Response 2:Carrie and Stephanie, thank you for your kind words. The color is from a Fiesta Ware platter I used to hold the water! Thanks again.
Vicki
- Vicki M. Tillard
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 9: Congratulations Finalists!!
Nice shot!!
Congratulations Finalists!!!!!!
“What I Learned…” I learned that this button captures the world!!! I have also learned through trial and error and from the great people here at Better Photo, there is a lot more to shooting than just pushing this button!!!!!!!!!!
© Tammy Scott
Canon EOS Rebel Ti...
- Carolyn Fletcher
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Response 1:Wow, took me a minute to figure out what it was a pic of. Makes a nice abstract.
- Claudia Kuhn
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Response 2:Great image, Tammy, and an equally great description! I love the philosophy, you are dead on with it!
- Ed Heaton
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Response 3:Great image and lesson, Tammy!! Boy, you are getting wise ...
- Kara L. Hendricks
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Response 4:Excellent, Tammy, great capture and narrative, also perfect upload to congratulate the finalists!!!
-Debby
- Deborah C. Lewinson
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 10: Spilled Pills
Great reflection, detail, and colors. Nicely done, Donnarae!!
Spilled pills
Macro image using a 70-200ISL lens with three extension tubes;(12mm,20mm&36mm)
© Donnarae ~
DonnaraePhotography.com
Canon EOS D60 Digi...
- Donna Pagakis
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Response 1:Looks great, Donna. What is the blue surface you're using?
- Kathleen Clemons
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Response 2:Excellent stock shot, Donnarae!!
- Dan J. Holm
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Response 3:Thank you; Donna, Kathleen, Carolyn, Gail and Dan. I appreciate the comments from such great photographers.
Hi Kath, For my backdrop I use a rolled seamless white BG with a blue gel on top of it. I love the bright gels for backgrounds.
- Donnarae ~
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 11: Naked Forest
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous, Robert!
Naked forest
© Robert M. Thompson
Canon EOS 20D Digi...
- Dan J. Holm
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Response 1:Beautiful, Robert! I love the light and shadow.
- Leanne M.E. Boyd
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Response 2:Thanks all for your comments! And thanks, Stephanie, for mentioning the sun peeking through. I learned that "starburst" effect from Kerry Drager in his "Point, Think, and Shoot" online course here at BetterPhoto. Just one of the many things I learned in his class.
Bob
- Robert M. Thompson
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Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 12: Cheers!
Too cute!
Cheers!
F11, 1/60, 105mm Micro Nikkor, ISO 400, Natural light, studio light, flash bounced off ceiling.
© Laurie Meehan-Elmer
LMEimages.com
Nikon D70 Digital ...
- Cathy I. Barrows
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Response 1:How the heck?? I love this!
- Kathryn Wolfe
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Response 2:Very cute! Tell us more of the details, please!
- Stephanie Lyons
Response 3:Thank you all for the nice comments.
I'm not sure if you want details on the squirrel or the photo. So, I'll give you both. This is an orphaned baby squirrel that I'm raising. She's about 4 1/2 weeks old and just opened her eyes the day this photo was shot. I had to be careful not to expose her eyes to too much light. As a result, I had to settle for a shutter speed of about 1/60 at F11. Because she's constantly "on the go" when awake (with eyes open), 1/60 wasn't enough to prevent motion blur. So, I put her in the glass to keep her still long enough to shoot. I considered a little basket but then you wouldn't be able to see her whole body.
I struggled a bit with White Balance. The shot ended up with a slight orange/magenta cast. Once uploaded into PS, I desaturated the reds. That fixed the problem. I also adjusted levels and did some selective burning. Oh ... I also used a tripod.
That's probably way more than you wanted to know!
- Laurie Meehan-Elmer
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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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