I just returned from a great trip to Costa Rica with ANPW, looking forward to returning next year! We spent our days photographing wildlife and jungle scenes all through this friendly country. We found all sorts of critters to photograph including iguanas, turquoise Morpho butterflies, 4 species of monkeys and countless exotic birds. After getting Read More
Tech Tips
Shooting in snow.
I have been shooting in a lot of snow lately, and not the kind on the ground. Blowing snow causes a few technical issues, as well as a few creative ones. Here is the short list the next time you photograph in a snowstorm. 1. Autofocus may not work. Depending on how heavy the snow Read More
Macro flash
I recently have been shooting some macro flash, and I was asked what worked the best. Here is the good news. Lighting principles work the same, whether you are photographing a model on the beach or a butterfly in the garden. All light has direction, quality and color, the three characteristics you work with Read More
Fill flash for birds.
Right now Colorado is experiencing subzero temps and fresh snow, winter is here to stay. Along with these frigid temps comes winter birds to our feeders. We have a variety of feeders strung out along our back deck which attracts hundreds of birds each day. Nothing like sipping your coffee indoors shooting through a glass Read More
Long Exposures
I got some emails asking me about my last post, particularly the night shot. But the questions weren’t on shooting at high ISOs, rather did I shoot any long exposures for star trails. The answer is yes! I initially stopped shooting long exposure star trail shots when digital cameras were first introduced simply because the Read More
Milky Way Photography
I just returned from teaching a workshop in Ouray, CO. with ANPW. Matt Kloskowski came along to teach some Lightroom tips; I’m amazed Matt always seems to know some new tricks, especially with LR5. Check out his blog and training videos at Kelby Training. We had some of the most incredible conditions I have ever Read More
Think graphically, not literally.
I just returned from teaching a workshop in Turkey for Strabo Tours. The Turkish people, culture and landscape were wonderful. Not only did the Turkish people openly invite us to take their picture, afterwards they invited us in for lunch! One principle really helped with photographing in Turkey; think graphically, not literally. It is easy Read More
What tripod is best?
Any photographer knows the surefire way to get sharp images is to use a tripod. When I can, I will use a tripod. Landscapes, HDR, panos, portraits, star trails, light painting, time-lapse…the list is long. Of course there are many times I don’t use a tripod either, like in busy markets or shooting portraits Read More
Visualize the light
I friend recently asked me how I explain lighting to new photographers. I teach a lot of lighting classes every year, and I am always trying to figure out new and better ways to be effective teaching these concepts. One thing I talk about is visualizing the light. We all know how important light is Read More
Hypersync improves
I have been on the road a lot in the last few weeks shooting some assignments and teaching a few workshops. Just returned from the Palouse region in Washington, teaching a workshop there with ANPW. I have to admit I was a little skeptical about the area…”We are going to shoot crop fields?”…boy was I Read More