Improved high ISO performance in today’s cameras has changed the way I shoot. I just spent my morning in our backyard bird blinds photographing in low light. How low? Murky enough light that I was using ISO 12,800 on my D6. Yep, and getting terrific files. If you would have told most photographers a few Read More
Shooting Tips
Beyond 1x Macro
We’re finishing up our online cabin fever macro class, and today we are discussing getting really close. As in closer than your macro lens can get. While we will be discussing extreme close up lenses, we will also look at getting your standard macro lens even closer for 1.5x or 2x magnification. Extension tubes are Read More
Perspective and Tension
We have been doing a lot of online image reviews during these stay at home times, and landscape images have been a hot topic. One thing I see a lot of is a technically perfect image…but no tension in the image. What does this mean? Think of tension as eye movement, not necessarily drama or Read More
Focus Peaking Landscapes
This week during our online advanced landscape class we talked about maximizing depth of field, and figuring out where exactly to focus in an image. Traditionally photographers have used techniques like depth of field preview, hyperfocal distance and LCD image review to check critical focus. I still use my depth of field preview button on Read More
A quicker way to autofocus
Modern DSLRs have extensive menu systems. Each new camera seems to offer more customization options, which is good for photographers. When I first buy a new camera, I know I will spend a hour just going through the menu and setting my preferences, as well as setting different functions to different controls on the camera. Read More
Vanishing Point
Next week we are getting ready to start up another 3 day online class of Advanced Landscapes, and I was reminded from participants in our earlier classes how much they loved hearing new compositional guidelines. During workshops we get the chance to highlight some of these, but not nearly as in-depth as we do with Read More
My favorite feature about mirrorless.
Much is mentioned when photographers talk about what they like about mirrorless cameras. Often it is seeing real time exposure in the viewfinder. Or maybe it is the smaller size of mirrorless cameras and lenses. While those features are handy, they are not my favorite feature about mirrorless (okay, maybe they are tied for first). Read More
Photographing from Helicopters
As we look forward to 2021 and being able to travel again, one photographic activity I always look forward to are aerials. Not flying a drone, but looking out the side of a helicopter with doors off thousands of feet in the air. Having spent the last 30 summers in Alaska on commercial assignments and Read More
Remote Camera Bird Photography
Looking for ways to keep expanding your creativity and technical skills this winter? Cree and I have been photographing backyard birds almost every morning for months now. It is just a great way to start the day, even if we only get a few pictures. It’s just good to sit behind that camera! But in Read More
Cabin Fever Macro!
At the beginning of this pandemic in April, Cree and I started our online photography program. Our first class was macro photography, and we were blown away by the response. We sold out five classes in the first month. We realized that photographers were really interested in connecting with others and staying creative. We had Read More