Photography Tutorials

Hanukkah Photo Idea

Thumbnail image for Hanukkah Photo Idea December 22, 2009

Yes, I know I’m late!  I love this photo taken at Hanukkah party we were invited to.  It’s a good example of “Zoom in close.  No, closer.  Really close.” Rather than capturing faces or the big picture, this shot focuses on the small details that symbolize the meaning of the holiday. Lens: 50mm f/1.4 Shutter [...]

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Why Some Lenses Are Expensive. And, Would You Like a Lens?

Thumbnail image for Why Some Lenses Are Expensive. And, Would You Like a Lens? December 8, 2009

So, yes, I got that new Canon 7D for an early Christmas present.  And yes, I do love it!  My Santa, who is awesome and happens to be very handsome too, also gave me this fabulous 24-70 f/2.8 that so many of you recommended very highly! And here is the kit lens that came with [...]

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From This To That

Thumbnail image for From This To That October 30, 2009

I seem to have cropping on the brain. Last week I presented the question “Do We Really Need Both Eyes?” which began my challenge to look for the “parts” of the photo that tell the story. This week as I’ve done my editing I’ve noticed that often cropping a photo from vertical to horizontal, or [...]

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Photographer Interview – Robert Shults

Thumbnail image for Photographer Interview – Robert Shults October 24, 2009

I first met Robert Shults as a student in his class, Personal Expression in Photography.  His eloquent and articulate discussion of technical, philosophic and artistic aspects of photography was inspirational and highly effective to me in my quest to identify my photographic style and learn great techniques.  Plus, he’s got the best vocabulary of any [...]

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Fill Flash: Learn It – Live It – Love It

October 7, 2009

Everyone welcome back way-outnumbered.  Her first guest post was a big hit around here!  I think this one will be a hit too.  Make sure to visit her blog to see more of her awesome photography and comment if you have any questions or compliments for her! I first read about “Fill Flash or Daylight [...]

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Maternity Photography – Pose Ideas

Thumbnail image for Maternity Photography – Pose Ideas September 1, 2009

Maternity sessions.  Perhaps the definition of a successful maternity photographer is that the photographs make pregnancy look effortless, serene and peaceful? This mama was beautiful – her Mona Lisa smile quietly notified the world that she is ready.  And she didn’t need a photographer to coax that serene smile onto her lips.  The peaceful expectation [...]

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Perfect Exposure is Easy

Thumbnail image for Perfect Exposure is Easy August 24, 2009

You know how you can read about something a million times, and eventually you come across wording that finally makes it all click? One of my readers from Australia, who knows much more about photography than I do, submitted a comment which turned into an email conversation which turned into a detailed treatise on Getting [...]

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5 Amazing Photos to Inspire You

July 15, 2009

My class on expressing creativity through photography started recently.  I’m enjoying it because it’s not a technical class about how to use a camera.  Instead, it’s, ummm, focused on the philosophy of photographic art.  Pun intended.  I found the class through a local university extension program, by the way. The instructor asked that each student bring in personally compelling photographs .  [...]

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Reflectors. An Easy Boost to Natural Light Photography

July 9, 2009

We always hear that it’s better to take photographs in the shade than in direct sunlight.   Maybe it’s my camera, but my photos taken in the shade always look pretty much like the first image below.  Skin tones look gray andwell, shady.  The photos tend to be noisy and they just aren’t that great.  And [...]

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Fireworks Photos

July 6, 2009

I hope everyone’s weekend was as great as mine!  Did you take many pictures?  I took tons and just wanted to share these with you.  I cropped them and added touches of Clarity, Vibrance, Saturation and Sharpening in Lightroom. Exposure:  F/10 for 1/6th of a second. 1000 ISO.  On a tripod.   It took me lots of [...]

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Improve Focus, Shoot More Quickly

Thumbnail image for Improve Focus, Shoot More Quickly June 11, 2009

Back Button Focusing is one of the awesome techniques I learned at the Pixel Fairy Princess workshop in Dallas a couple of weeks ago.  I’ve mentioned it a couple of times, but haven’t really explained it yet.  Sometimes it’s called Auto-Focus lock. On cameras supporting this feature, you will find a button  which sets the focus when [...]

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Starburst Effect Around Lights in Digital Photography

June 3, 2009

I learned so much this weekend at the Pixel Fairy Princess photography workshop.  I’ll be sharing some of my favorite new ideas with you all week. And I bet that Debbie won’t mind that I’m giving away her secrets.  The most valuable thing by far about taking her classes isn’t the tips, but learning how to [...]

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Record Digital Images in Raw for More Adjusting Power

March 17, 2009

Do you shoot your digital photos in Raw? You’d know it it you did.  Working with Raw images gives you much more power to correct photographic mistakes.  Was the exposure way off on an otherwise great picture?  Raw can help you fix it.  Is there a severe color tint due to improper white balance settings?  [...]

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Using Props to Add Interest to Kids’ Photos

December 12, 2008

This post is your 5th opportunity to enter my contest to win a free copy of Photoshop Elements 7/Premiere Elements 7, courtesy of Adobe!  See details at the end of the post. How many pictures have you taken of your kids?  About 47 million, if you’re like me.  And each and every one of them [...]

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