Many photographers have a subscription to Adobe Lightroom that also includes Photoshop. You can do a lot in Lightroom in the Develop module, and may never go into Photoshop. Two reasons I frequently use Photoshop is to work in layers, and to remove objects that Lightroom can’t manage. The good news is Adobe just updated Read More
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Focus Peaking
I got a question from a workshop participant asking about focus peaking. What exactly is it? Where is it on my camera? And what does it do? All good questions! Focus peaking has been around for awhile, but initially only video photographers used it. Focus peaking shows in real time what is in focus by Read More
RRS Macro Focusing Rail
This summer and fall I was really excited to see all the interest in macro photography on our workshops. Often overlooked, macro scenes are fascinating and inspirational; who knew what was right at your feet? Our redwoods workshop is timed perfectly for the Columbia lilies to be in bloom; when you get tried of looking Read More
Buying a tripod
One of the most common questions I get is what tripod is the best. Six years ago I did a post on buying the right tripod, so I thought I would update some content. Here are your basic considerations: -size -weight -stability -amount of use -price -customer service There are a lot of tripods on Read More
Basic Time-lapse photography
I did a training video a few years back for KelbyOne on creating time-lapse movies. Time-lapse sequences can be very simple or much more complicated like day to night sequences. But technology marches on, and cameras continue to advance with their time-lapse abilities. Top Nikon bodies have two choices for creating TL, one where the Read More
Traveling with lithium batteries
Traveling with photography gear can be nerve racking. The last thing you want to have happen is have your camera gear get broken or stolen. So we all try to carry it on the plane….until we can’t take it on the plane! Here are a few things I can pass on that might change your Read More
It’s all about balance
I just returned from teaching a workshop in Sedona, one of my favorite desert locations, and we had a fantastic time. Red clouds at sunrise and sunset, vintage cars and colorful portraits in Jerome, and lots of reflection opportunities with the recent rain. One plant the entire group enjoying photographing was the agave. This plant Read More
Compression Landscapes
I just returned from a fantastic trip to the Eastern Sierras. It is hard to beat just roaming around with your camera in hand, no schedules, just exploring and looking for images. Watching the sunrise slowly scroll down Mt Whitney and jagged Sierras is sublime. With such spectacular scenery, diverse locations and fall color, Cree Read More
Think graphically.
One concept I like to talk about on workshops is visualizing a scene graphically, not literally. Claude Monet summed it up in one quote: “In order to see we must forget the name of everything. By labeling, we recognize everything, but no longer see anything.” Here is an example. A few days ago I was Read More
ISO; it’s not all about noise.
I just returned from a workshop in Portugal, and we did a lot of street shooting in Porto and Lisbon. We had a lot of fun trying to find the perfect spot for a early morning trolley shot in Lisbon. Yellow trolleys are iconic to Lisbon, so we really wanted to photograph them during our Read More
Nikon 500mm 5.6 PF field test
Less than 5 hours from being home from a workshop in Portugal, I was driving up the winding roads of Big Thompson canyon on my way to Rocky Mountain National Park. September brings yellow aspens, fresh snow and rutting elk in RMNP. I really wanted to spend a day in the field with the new Read More
Nikon 500mm 5.6 PF first impressions
Okay, I haven’t been so excited about a lens showing up on my doorstep for a long time. I was so excited about receiving my 500mm 5.6 PF yesterday I even tried to intercept the UPS man. It finally arrived, and after less than a day of shooting, all I can say is ‘Wow’. The Read More