Sharpen Your Photography Skills, Knowledge and Passion

Photography News September 26, 2023 Quote: We all move on the fringes of eternity and are sometimes granted vistas through fabric of illusion.” – Ansel Adams Techniques and Tutorials: What is Fine #Art #Photography? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvhC9cgKGgQ   Portrait Lenses: A Thoughtful Conversation with Chris Orwig https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K1evOLghuQ   Secret Life of Animals: Behavior & Wildlife Photography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQP80sv-eCE   Getting Started with Macro Photography 2 Mistakes the Best Photographers Never Make Aberration in optical systems   Thought for the day: If? If you never post-process your images. If you never ever share them. If the images just stay in the (phone, card, computer) until the heat death of the universe? [...]

Photography News September 18, 2023 Quote: “The pictures are there, and you just take them.” – Robert Capa Techniques and Tutorials: Planning vs Spontaneity in Landscape Photography Previsualization in Photography Meaning, Use and Origins of Bokeh Top Photoshop Adjustment Presets Why Using the Golden Ratio in Your Photos Might Not Be a Good Idea After All 3 Things That Ruin Poses: How to Fix Them – Lindsay Adler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRI1zRZBhsc   Thought for the day: Safety – Annular Solar Eclipse in October, be safe If you want to photograph or view the annular solar eclipse in October it might be a good idea to order safe and effective solar filters [...]

Photography News September 11, 2023 Quote: “The truth is the best picture, the best propaganda…” – Robert Capa Techniques and Tutorials: Ocean Moods – Michael Frye Six Lighting Setups to Try on Your Next Photoshoot How to Photograph a Music Festival – Lens Rentals Unlikely Hero Accessories for Landscape Photographers Comet Nishimura will be at perihelion on September 18 and at its brightest the comet will be visible in the evening twilight skies of San Francisco low along the western horizon for maybe 15m after the Sunset. How to Plan and Photograph Comet C/2023 P1, Nishimura(8–17 September 2023) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYH934Uzips   Thought for the day – Forever? Cameras don’t last forever, [...]

Photography News September 6, 2023 Quote: “If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough…” – Robert Capa   Articles: Photographing the Olympic Peninsula – Michael Frye A Simple Guide to Focus Stacking Master The Art Of Timelapse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMnj1g1fEEw   How to Get Long Exposures without Filters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wUiCaF9YjU   Compelling Photo through Composites https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQRbOaok_U   Posing Basics for Studio Dance Photography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8fN55BYyfQ   Thought for the day: – Don’t stop down too much Modern high resolution cameras and lenses have the highest resolution with the lens only stopped down a stop or two (ƒ/2.8 is wide open, so stop down to ƒ/4 of ƒ/5.6 for the [...]

Photography News July 24, 2023 Quote: "Lately I've been struck with how I really love what you can't see in a photograph. An actual physical darkness. And it's very thrilling for me to see darkness again.” – Diane Arbus Articles:   The Best Photography Advice I've Ever Heard – Stills in Motion, Episode 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL-kCakaSwg   FRAMES — Photography Visual Patterns #1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ua1A7VI2H0   Opacity vs Fill in Photoshop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qq9CEyLmHg   What Every Photographer Should Know About Lenses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRvkpa-9Djs&list=PLgGbWId6zgaXEqhwuq19JGbnEgIZ3Vtoy   Example of the Arc of Storytelling in a PhotoBook https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-SCQZZakj8   Another landscape shot with discussion on angles, sun, etc. and a detailed discussion on post-processing: [...]

Photography News July 17, 2023 Quote: "Yes, for me the drama of storm in nature, the drama of sorrow in life, are the most impressive. Oh, there must be a little bit of light, a little bit of happiness, just enough to indicate the shape, to make the limbs of the silhouette stand out, but let the rest be dark.” – Vincent van Gogh Articles: How AI Tools are Making Retouching Easier Than Ever Beware the Poisoned Apple (AI in Art) Leading Line – The Best Technique To Tell Stories In Your Images https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu_5lEja2vA   JPEG vs PNG – Are You Using the WRONG Image Format? [...]

Photography News July 10, 2023 Quote: The negative is comparable to the composer’s score and the print to its performance. Each performance differs in subtle ways.” – Ansel Adams Articles: Is AI-Generated Art Ethical? – suggested by Linda Lee Rutherford Landscape Photography Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPveao-ZOLY   Creating that Dreamy look, using Vaseline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mbxjZ2MN4A   Andromeda Galaxy with only a Camera, Lens, & Tripod https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXcRKoxTPVg   Street and Travel Photography Full Online Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLMjr3YQMMQ   Photoshop Retouching for Beginners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMYVhdyppe0&list=PLgGbWId6zgaXEqhwuq19JGbnEgIZ3Vtoy&index=5   Thought for the day: The excellent video Creating that Dreamy look, using Vaseline has good ideas, but two major problems. This may be due to wanting room to [...]

Photography News July 3, 2023 Quote: "Artists (fine ones) don't copy nature, and when they do record quite literally the presentation is such as to arouse connotations quite apart from the subject matter." – Edward Weston Articles: Dramatic Portraiture & Lighting Class w/ Chris Knight Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi8XiGKGU3s   Lightroom Classic Masterclass 2022 – Developing Images https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG4GKLSua7A   What Pros Know about ISO that Beginners Often Ignore! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBzUkVo_MRo   How to capture a Galaxy with your DSLR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKlzbgQStE   Ultimate Guide to Street Photography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh6PIafC8wU   The Biggest Lie Social Media Feeds Photographers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PndV7QfWKTI&t=11s   Thought for the day: What sees Truth? What the camera sees [...]

Photography News June 26, 2023 Quote: "To send light into the darkness of men's hearts – such is the duty of the artist.” – Robert Schumann Articles: How to Quickly Ruin Your Camera and Lens Generative Fill AI This WILL Change Everything! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wKw6LBzDBU   Capturing Powerful Portraits – Photographic Tips and techniques https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVdwKiTcJNs   How to Shoot Like Sean Archer, Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-JqNA8ITG4   How To Edit like Sean Archer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sewlReH9O0c   How to Quickly Improve Your Landscape Photography Compositions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXCFUTb9Ww   Thought for the day: You can learn a lot about better photography from great Hollywood movies.   Art of the Week: Casablanca Behind The Scenes – many good [...]

Photography News June 19, 2023 Quote: "Of course, I hear that I must have a marvellous lens or extraordinary camera – instead of a lens with shutter and all for 20 pesos, and a camera quite gone to ruin! Not many realize that good photographs – like anything else – are made with one's brains.” – Edward Weston Articles: How Much Do You Value the Process of Creating Images? Sensor Format Size and Image Quality A Photo I’ve dreamt of… - good example of how to ‘work’ a subject https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap8uYufdtOo   Composition Case Study: Analyzing Arnold Newman's Photo of Igor Stravinsky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lOwJbcKFRg   The Worst Photography Advice [...]

Photography News June 13, 2023 Quote: “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” – Ansel Adams Articles: How Do You Take Images That Look 3D? How to Upscale an Image Without Losing Quality Eight Tips for Preventing Camera Theft Forget the Rule of Thirds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2OTMIRyiFo   Framing in Photography: 6 Ways You Can Use It https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo7yQ8neq20   Learning to See: Visual Fundamentals – suggested by S. Maurice Krumrey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fszXLO6fURY   Thought for the day: Generative AI vs AI Assistance There is a major difference between Generative AI and software that have “AI” assistance. Currently most photo programs have a [...]

Photography News May 29, 2023 Quote: "The observation of nature is part of an artist's life, it enlarges his form-knowledge, keeps him fresh and from working only by formula, and feeds inspiration” – Henry Moore Articles: Aspect Ratio – The Secret to Stunning Fine Art Photos Suggested by Paul Pokrywka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkWkWoK_LBs   New Beta Photoshop Removal Tool https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqbwJU_7rPY   Portraits with a Plastic Dust Sheet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQN6eNBjUvw   Shooting Winter and Snow Studio Portraits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5QU9Jvc7v8   How to Shoot Dance Photography – Quick Explanation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYQj6sxGDR8   Some of the oldest photos you will ever see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH5Mx5acrBk   Thought for the day: Another [...]

Photography News May 22, 2023 Quote: "I am constantly torn between the attitude of the conscientious journalist who is a recorder and interpreter of the facts and of the creative artist who often is necessarily at poetic odds with the literal facts." – W. Eugene SmithArticles: Camera Life Cycles – Thom Hogan Natural and Continuous Lighting for Headshots – Peter Hurley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rclrgp1oz1Q   What Is Motivated Light? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB8O5NoLGm4   Creating Motivated Light in a Photo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6sZlhhe3h4&t=5s   Dance Photography – Lois Greenfield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaJXxYhA0Uo   How to Light a Magical Box https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO1YRW8OP5Q   Thought for the day: A Painful But VERY Useful Exercise Take a bunch of [...]

Photography News May 8, 2023 Quote: “I am sure the next step will be the electronic image, and I hope I shall live to see it. I trust that the creative eye will continue to function, whatever technological innovations may develop.” – Ansel Adams Articles: Here Are Some Photoshop Plug-ins to Make Astrophotography Much Easier Black and White: Why and How https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDMkZ7aZ8Yc   Giselle – Photo Shoot with Kaori Nakamura https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcs-Q_1VKtU   Dance in the Street Photography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNfArgr_hPQ   Four Looks, One Gray Background https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIoWwx-elCE   Creating Shadows with Everyday Items to make D.I.Y. Gobos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sBK4xFmF3Q   Thought for the day: Solid state storage (SSD, [...]

Photography News April 17, 2023 Quote: "The value of composition cannot be over estimated; upon it depends the harmony and the sentiment. Instruments and mediums can be had for a price; originality, creative faculty, poetic feeling, can come from only one source, but they can be lost if they be not cherished.” – Gertrude Käsebier Articles: Using Juxtaposition for Your Landscape Photography Photographing Men – Inside Fashion and Beauty Photography by Lindsay Adler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_ftx1nnyBs   Practical Guide to Understanding Light Modifiers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nGG2pDigL0   How I Got The Shot – Soccer Star https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHAr_t7KMuE   How to shoot Powder Paint Portraits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoevmjNenxA   How to Add [...]

Photography News April 12, 2023 Quote: “All judgments of artistic merits are rooted in bias. Being subjective by nature, they can't be anything other than that. If we had measurable, quantifiable ways to decide the value of art, there would be no need for critics or contests or opinions.” – Tim Parkin Articles: Image Stabilization is measured in Stops, what does this mean? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzTGfn0ZjBQ   How to be an Impressionist Photographer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKGPDZ0F7TI   Birds in Flight (BiF) Photography Tips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXOSSxb4xeQ   Pose Friends For Powerful Portraits (Tips From A Pro) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3dzLVY4Frw   How I Got The Shot: Flour Child https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgMytWPPhaU   3 Quick Fixes [...]

Photography News April 3, 2023 Quote: ”If everyone loves your work, you are playing it much too safe.” - David Carson and many others Articles: How a tiny company with few rules is making fake images mainstream – think about the ethics of photography and related. Fix Your Photos With Selective Image Transformations How Your Camera and Image Processor Determine Colors What Makes a Great Portrait? With Scott Kelby – B&H Photo Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM2rIexPUTk   Extreme Macro the Easy Way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xmRULRsWWU   Why RAW images look so flat compared to Jpeg images straight out of camera https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unnO58dzVDU   Minimum Shutter Speed Rule The old "1/focal length = minimum shutter speed" rule was made [...]

Photography News March 27, 2023 Quote: “You can not just study photography, you have to do it” – paraphrased by Greg Edwards Articles:Tips for Styling Your Exhibition Displays with MetalPrints, Acrylic Prints and More – An ad but very good info Studio Photography with a Professional Ballerina / Behind the Scenes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CvvIRefLXg   Editing Backdrops (studio shoots) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve1CDzt_sWY   Using textures in Photoshop – Excellent Intro, older version of Photoshop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpMihOcOhHg&t=313s   How to Shoot Amazing Dance Photos That Will Go Viral https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sXDSnmCJ2Y   Blown Out Highlights? This is the Key To Perfect Exposures – Histograms and Zebras https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Rq2yHflWc   Sharp Photos Every Time With These Simple Steps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRgi_WiEuj0   [...]

Photography News March 20, 2023 Quote: “After all, the goal is not making art. It is living a life. Those who live their lives will leave the stuff that is really art. Art is a result. It is the trace of those who have led their lives. It is interesting to us because we read the struggle and the degree of success the man made in his struggle to live. The great question is: 'What is worthwhile?' The majority of people have failed to ask themselves seriously enough, and have failed to try seriously enough to answer this question.” – Robert Henri Articles: Create [...]