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Welcome to the 57th issue of PhotoFlash
Hi there
Lots of awesome things happening at BetterPhoto this holiday month. Our December PhotoCourses are just getting under way. So what are you waiting for? Sign up now, and we'll send out Lesson 1 pronto!... There's still time for our holiday drawing! Shop for the holidays online with Betterphoto.com and win a free $100.00 gift card. More info on the drawing... In this issue of PhotoFlash, don't miss instructor Scott Stulberg's article on photographing wildlife, and many excellent photo discussions by members and instructors. ... Also, learn to make your own holiday card in Richard Lynch's Dec. 4th Instructor Insights photography blog!
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, December 05, 2007
 Enlightenment 0.8sec at f14 Glacier National Park was an incredible success for us. We were able to capture some of the most impressive light shows I've ever seen. This is one of them. A few minutes earlier, the rays of the sun began to stream through this little gap in the clouds. At first, the rays were contained to a small area far away on the mountainside. The valley was veiled in mist and lacked the contrast that would make a truly beautiful image. But as the sun dropped towards the horizon, more beams of light escaped from behind the clouds - and the mist filtered and reflected the light to create this ethereal scene.
© Varina C. Patel Canon EOS 20D Digi... |
Featured Article: Photographing Wildlife ... by Scott Stulberg
When it comes to photographing animals, don't forget the details! After all, says pro instructor Scott Stulberg in his recent blog-turned-article, the intimate views have visual impact too. Scott teaches several courses here at BetterPhoto.com, including Stock Photography Boot Camp. Check out Scott's 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. Advertisement ... Lensbabies - Selective Focus SLR Lenses! Classes Begin Today - Enroll Now! Need help deciding? Course Advisors are available toll free Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm Pacific Time at 1-888-927-9992. Or try our easy-to-use CourseFinder. New Photo Discussions I bounced the hot-shoe mounted flash into a large reflector which was in the same position that a studio KEY light would be in the studio. Notes on the making of this photo: For this image, I zeroed in tight on one of my favorite abandoned trucks. I chose a wide-angle lens and a reeeeeally close camera position - down low (on my knees) and within an arm's length of the truck. The camera position - aided by a tripod - gave me a nice perspective on things. Plus, as Kristy pointed out earlier, the low camera angle also let me set the truck against the sky ... in order to take adantage of the warm-vs.-cool color contrast. And, as Kristy noted, the low-on-the-horizon sun cast a nice shadow that created a strong diagonal line. 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.
© Sean Arbabi
arbabi.org
4-Week Short Course: Exposure A to Z: The Ins and Outs to Metering
Nikon N90/N90s (F9...
Lensbabies – the unique, fun, useful, and affordable tool for creative photography. The award-winning Lensbabies are selective-focus SLR camera lenses that bring one area of your photo into sharp focus, with that "sweet spot" surrounded by graduated blur. You can move the sweet spot anywhere in the photo by bending the lens.Editor's Note: Check out Tony Sweet's terrific course: Creative Nature/Outdoor Photos with Lensbabies.
Learn more...
Our special December online school is our best ever! We've added some excellent 8-week online courses to the schedule. Those classes - plus our 4-week offerings - kick off today (Dec. 5th).
New Photo Discussion 1: Frosty Edges
Very well done, Donna.
Frosty Edges
Winter's gifts are making an appearance!
Nikon 105mm lens
© Donna J. Eaton
donnaeatonphoto.com
Nikon D2X Digital ...
- Darren K. Fisher
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Response 1:Beautiful, Donna. Great contrast with the lines of the deck and the veins of the leaf, as well as the warm leaf color and the cool deck tones. Your detail is great!
- Pat French
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Response 2:Your composition here is simply outstanding with positive and negative shapes. Wonderfully sharp detail and terrific contrast between warm and cool colors, Donna!!
- Melissa Gurdus
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Response 3:A big thank you Darren, Lynne, Deb, Jim, Shawn, Murry, Christine, Pat, Melissa, Richard, and Jeff! Wow, how great that you guys like this one! It was taken in Cades Cove this past weekend. It was about 21 degrees early in the morning and as soon as the sun came out, the frost was gone. :-)
- Donna J. Eaton
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 2: Bristlecone Pine at Great Basin NP
Great colors! I like the light hitting the mountain and the bare tree in the forground. Great pov :) 
NVWC0311: Bristlecone pine @ Great Basin NP, NV
USA: Nevada: White Pine County: Great Basin National Park: A Bristlecone pine (~3000-5000 yrs old), Wheeler Peak (13,063 ft) & Jeff Davis Peak (12,771 ft) in the distance at sunset in the Snake Range
© Sean Arbabi
arbabi.org
4-Week Short Course: Exposure A to Z: The Ins and Outs to Metering
Nikon F100 SLR Cam...
- Tammy Espino
Response 1:Thanks, Tammy! It was quite a hike, but using a 2-stop grad ND and a 24mm wide angle (then mounting my camera as low to the ground as possible) all helped to produce this shot.
Then a long hike after dusk through deep forests - in pitch black darkness - led me back out and on my way to Salt Lake City of another assignment!
Thanks again for the compliments!
- Sean Arbabi
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4-Week Short Course: Exposure A to Z: The Ins and Outs to Metering
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 3: Dodie Studying
Too cute! Your dog is precious. Fell for her when I saw the framing picture!
Dodie Studying
© John H. Siskin
john-siskin.com
4-Week Short Course: Portrait Lighting on Location and in the Studio
4-Week Short Course: Understanding the Tools of Lighting
- Nancy Donnell
Response 1:Hi Nancy,
I’m glad you like Dodie! I shot this with one Calumet 750 Travelite and a 60-inch umbrella. One thing I like to do with dogs and with people is to do the set-up first, then bring in the subject. I think it makes for a smoother shoot. Of course Dodie will only let me shoot a few before it is time for treats. I am not above bribing a model!
Thanks! John Siskin
- John H. Siskin
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4-Week Short Course: Portrait Lighting on Location and in the Studio
4-Week Short Course: Understanding the Tools of Lighting
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 4: Taillight Lines
Fantastic shot, good lines and contrast. Good job!
Taillight Lines
f/9.0, 1/125s, Canon 24-105mm IS, 200 ISO. Taken at the Good Guys Auto Show this August in Spokane, WA.
© Jim Kinnunen
KinnunenPhoto.com
Canon EOS 1D Mark ...
- Chuck Bruton
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Response 1:This is really a great shot, Jim! You know how much I like to shoot cars, and you really have done an excellent job on this one. Congratulations!
- Rob Bishop
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Response 2:Yes, there are nice lines & diagonals ;-) but I think the cloud reflections are that extra ingredient that put this image over the top. Nice work!
- Doug Herrman
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 5: Intensity II
Cool capture, Christopher!!
Intensity II
This is from a recent senior session. This senior is a dirt bike rider and is going to go to school to be a dirt bike mechanic. So, we wanted to incorporate some of that into his session. There's some really cool shots from this one!
© Christopher G. Jamison
Nikon D200 Digital...
- Colette M. Metcalf
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Response 1:WINNER!!!!! Chris, this is amazing in every way! Super comp, light, tones, mood - this just has it ALL
:)
- Jennifer L. Alder
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Response 2:Very cool, Chris. I LOVE the comp and point of view, but his eye is very detailed as well. Of course I don't have to tell you the lighting is GREAT!!!
- Danielle Fuller
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 6: Truck Shadow Shot
Amazing Capture! The color draws you in! The blue sky in the background in gorgeous and the shadow the mirror makes on the truck is wonderful!
1942 Ford Dump Truck 2b
Late-day sunlight. At my ranchette, Northern California; 24mm lens, Fuji Velvia
© Kerry Drager
kerrydrager.com
4-Week Short Course: Creative Close-ups
Creative Light and Composition
Nikon F5 SLR Camer...
- Kristy A. Keene
Response 1:Hi Kristy,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Best,
Kerry
- Kerry Drager
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Creative Light and Composition
Response 2:Hi Kerry, I just love all your photos of old trucks, farm equipment etc!!!
- Amanda D. Austwick
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Response 3:Hi Amanda,
Thanks for the comments - glad that you like this image and my other pics of old trucks and farm equipment! As you probably know, I live in the country and really enjoy getting out and giving my shooting eye regular workouts!
Kerry
- Kerry Drager
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Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Kerry Drager:
4-Week Short Course: Creative Close-ups
Creative Light and Composition
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
Until next time, thanks for reading and keep having fun with photography!
Jim Miotke
BetterPhoto.com, Inc.
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