On a recent workshop to Cuba, we spent a lot of hours on our feet walking the colorful streets or hiking through scenic valleys in the Vinales tobacco region. Add to that hiking up and down steps to our lodging and waiting hours in airports…just about the norm when you explore and photograph a new Read More
Blog
Angle of view
One question that recently came up on a trip to Cuba was how to deal with busy street scenes. Or, in other terms, how to clean up the shot. One simple answer to this question is change your angle of view. But what does that really mean? Imagine this scenario. You want to photograph part Read More
When to use Auto ISO
I know I have said this before, but new camera technology continues to give photographers more tools than ever to ‘getting the shot.’ I shot film bodies for years, and honestly, not much changed. Frame rates got better, metering slowly improved and films evolved. I mean it was a big deal when Fuji introduced Velvia Read More
Live view composition
Here is a quick travel photography tip: you don’t have to look through the viewfinder to take a picture. How many times have you walked through a market browsing the goods and taken a few snapshots. And that is what they are, snapshots (I’m done it many times!). Instead, look at the objects on the Read More
Holiday gift ideas!
Hard to believe but this is the last weekend to holiday shop, or order online and still get your gift in time. I have been using some great new accessories that would make a perfect gift for the photographer on your list, so here are five photo gift ideas. Some inexpensive and others expensive. But Read More
Polaroid Revival; Lomo’Instant camera
The holiday season is here, and there is a great option for the travel photographer on your list; an updated version of the venerable instant Polariod camera. Why go retro? Have you ever seen how touching it is watching a remote villager see their own photo for the first time? Or how excited kids get Read More
Speedlight lighting in Austin
A number of folks have asked me if I teach lighting classes, and the answer is yes! My scheduled lighting class will be in Austin Texas in March with the Mentor Series. These classes focus on speed lights, and are loaded with class sessions, critiques and shoots with models. The techniques you learn apply across Read More
Everyone is a photographer with camera in hand.
Recently Scott Kelby came to Denver to do a full day talk, “Shoot Like a Pro, Reloaded”. Naturally I decided to go visit and heckle Scott from the back row. I do training videos for KelbyOne, and have had some fun times shooting with Scott. Sitting in the audience it was a pleasure to see Read More
Rogue Flashbender 2
I have been focusing on speed lights recently, especially with the release of the radio wireless SB5000 (incredible flash). I have been using a lot of Rogue flash accessories to create my images, especially the Flashbender 2 XL. This is a very versatile accessory; you can bounce flash off it, add a diffusion panel to Read More
Cyber Monday deals
If you are looking for some good deals on photography gear and software, start shopping now. This weekend and Monday numerous companies are having great deals. One item I noticed was Singh-Ray filters. If you haven’t tried shooting with a 10 or 15 stop ND filter on your last trip, you don’t know what you Read More