Category Archives: Photo Tutorials

April 29, 2011

PhotographyBB Online Magazine – 39th Edition is here! – PhotographyBB Online Magazine and Community

By Michael Frye

PhotographyBB Online Magazine – 39th Edition is here! – PhotographyBB Online Magazine and Community.

Get the LATEST and GREATEST from this really wonderful photography magazine.

Remember, IT’S FREE!

Apr 29th, 2011 – VANCOUVER, CANADA:PhotographyBB announced today, the release of the 39th edition of the downloadablePhotographyBB Online Magazine. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is a completely free, monthly publication with the goal of educating beginner to intermediate level photographers, and has become a leading resource in the future of free information distribution. PhotographyBB Online Magazine offers readers: Digital Photography tips and techniques, DSLR camera function training, discussions on issues surrounding the photo community, and image post processing tutorials in Adobe® Photoshop, and RAW processing in Photoshop Lightroom.

This month’s edition explores photography tips and techniques for capturing memorable moments at sporting events, a look at how photographers can use the features of the LinkedIn social networking suite to further their careers, and a demonstration of the power of Lightroom’s adjustment brush tool. This edition also features a new Reader FAQ column under the topics of lighting and portrait photography, and answers the question: Is a DSLR camera right for you?

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April 23, 2011

Guest Post: Be a Better Photographer

By Michael Frye

 

I watched a documentary on PBS about how National Geographic picked the top ten photographs for 2010.  They chose quite a diverse set of images from different photographers around the globe.  As they counted down I was amazed at how simple but powerful the images were.  The number one image was simple but made a powerful statement.  I wrote down a few notes and thought this would be a good place to share my thoughts of what I learned and how we all can apply simple techniques to our photography regardless of what our speciality is.
 
At the end of the show each photographer was asked what makes a great photograph.  There were several that gave the typical response; find something you know best, look in your backyard or close to home to photograph, be patient, photograph something that is fun and is what your passionate about.  All of these are great suggestions and are something we should focus our attention on but there were other comments that stood out that I want to focus on today.
 
The harder you try to take the photograph that you think is going to be great the less likely it is your going to get that photograph.  
 
How many times have you had a vision of a certain photograph you wanted to make and ended up loving something entirely different?  This happened to me recently.  I wanted to capture a sunrise over the Wasatch Mountains with water from the Great Salt Lake in the foreground. I drove out to Antelope Island and arrived in time to get all my gear setup waiting as the sun started to crest over the Wasatch Mountains.  The light was great and the reflection on the water was just as I had envisioned.  I was pleased with the images I was getting but as I turned around to pack up my gear I saw something that I wish I had paid closer  attention to.  The water at the marina was calm and the colors were perfect.  I quickly captured the image below and It turned out to be my favorites of the morning.  I was so focused on capturing a sunrise that I didn’t look around my surroundings for other opportunities.  I’ve now learned to be patient and not to walk away too soon from opportunities.
 

 
Focus on the star/subject of the photograph then pull back to show more of the scene. Know what the main subject is your trying to portray in your photograph.  Zoom in on that subject then pull back to show the surroundings that can support your subject.  I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to capture something in an image then when I review it on my computer screen I get bored with it because there isn’t a main subject or it’s lost within all the clutter.  In the photograph below I wanted the light and sign to be the main subjects.  As I was composing this photograph I wanted to make sure the lights and buildings in the background didn’t distract from the sign and light.  I had to stand on the edge of the river bank in order to capture this image and was able to isolate the light and sign enough to make them the main subject.  


If your pictures are not good enough your not reading, studying, and photographing enough. I’m always trying to learn and improve my techniques, as I go back and review my photographs I think what were you thinking.  I’m amazed at how many resources there are available on the internet for photographers that are free, if your in a rut or are not happy with your photographs get out and shoot more.  Put yourself in uncomfortable situations and photograph something your not familiar with.  Explore with off camera lighting and learn about light.  I was asked recently to sit on a panel with three other photographers.  We were asked to bring some images that we thought were our best work and some images that were we considered flops.  The audience would critique our images and talk about what would have made the image better.  It was a humbling experience to have my images critiqued by a large room full of photographers that I respect.  I learned a lot that evening and took the advice of several photographers and incorporated that into my style.  

A few other quotes that I liked from the documentary were:
  •  
    • Good photographs come from understanding compassion and study of what you are representing.

  •  
    • Get and education in liberal arts so you can tell a story with your photographs.  

  •  
    • Powerful memorable photographs happen when you don’t see the photographer.  You simply see the the photographer stripping away all preconceptions to show reality.  

  •  
    • Set a goal, go somewhere no one has gone before and capture that moment.
  •  
    • Good photographs come from understanding compassion and study of what you are representing.   

I’d like to thank Mike for this opportunity, I’m always trying new techniques and tricks to make me a better photographer.  I’m not a man of many words so writing this was definitely something out of my comfort zone.  

(This article, and all photographs contained here in, is copyrighted by Scott O. Smith. It is displayed here with the expressed permission of Scott O. Smith. No copies or facsimiles of this article, whether in part or in full, may be distributed without the expressed permission of Scott O. Smith.)
Note to the author: I would like thank Scott for providing this wonderful article for use on PhotoCapM. It is greatly appreciated and the information provided is excellent. Please visit Scott’s website where you can read and see more of his wonderful work. Visit http://www.scottosmith.com today.

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March 14, 2011

Lessons from the Scene: Making Snapshots Better by Stanley Leary | We Are Photographers

By Michael Frye

Lessons from the Scene: Making Snapshots Better by Stanley Leary | We Are Photographers.

Knowing where you are with your photography can make all the difference in the world to where you go next. Stanley Leary from We Are Photographers takes the photographer through understanding the progression of their skills and abilities as they grow. His insight is absolutely worth a moment of your time, so stop by today and read, “Lessons from the Scene: Making Snapshots Better”.

“A snapshot is popularly defined as a photograph that is “shot” spontaneously and quickly, most often without artistic or journalistic intent. Snapshots are commonly considered to be technically “imperfect” or amateurish–out of focus or poorly framed or composed.”

Read more here…


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March 8, 2011

Moodiness as Necessary to Photography

By Michael Frye

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Mood is necessary in the photographs you capture. It can lend feeling to the story that you are trying to tell. It will portray reason and meaning behind the image you make.

A lone darkened doorway can communicate the simplest of stories. A cold brick wall surrounding it enhances feeling. Shadows of hooks cast on the wall establishes emotion and completes it.

When composing the story you are attempting to tell some decisions have to made. The time of day the photograph will be made is an important one. Determining the format such as color or black and white is also an important consideration. Composition is an absolute. The “why” behind the image is a must as well, so that the viewer can interpret its meaning.

Mood can make or break what you intend to demonstrate. In the photograph above the mood is an eerie one. It should leave the viewer with a few questions in mind. “Would I go through the darkened door?” or “Should I venture beyond the safety of the light?” and “There is light on the other side. Maybe it is safe?”

The decisions surrounding this photograph produces an outcome for the viewer. It is based in mood. It was captured at night when the light in confined spaces can be harsh and shadowy. The main character is the doorway, but there are two that have a supporting role in the story and appear as indirect to the door.

Shadows can play an important role in your photography. They are rarely the star in the story that you tell. They are a must if you are attempting to demonstrate mood however.

Referring back to the photograph above. The shadows of hanging hooks cast on the wall enhance the story about the door. The darkened doorway could by itself capture the mood sought, but the shadows cast on the wall serve to refine the viewers interpretation in what they see.

This is mood. The subject properly composed. Light and darkness. Shadow and brightness. Contrast and color, or lack there of. Of course it helps tremendously to have a subject worth their weight in moodiness as well.

Mood is necessary to your photography no matter the subject or scene, so seek it out in your image making. It is not always eerie you know? There are moods for every emotion that make up a human being. Know the mood you want to portray and then determine to illicit it from those who see your photograph.

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February 22, 2011

Overcoming, “I’m SO Excited!”

By Michael Frye

SunnyYesterdayIMG_1239_0042 It can be very difficult to contain one’s excitement when something that they love to do is noticed by others. The amateur photographer seeking to expand their knowledge and abilities through opportunities that stretch their comfort zone can easily become enthusiastically overwhelmed. It does not have to be this way however.

How does one handle exciting opportunities and great news associated with their photography? The first thing to consider is how that excitement can be translated in to motivation. Some are provided an opportunity and immediately think to themselves, “What I have I done? I’m not capable of doing this.”

Still others go out immediately and attempt to meet the new opportunity head on. “I have been given this assignment and I’m going to go right out and TAKE the moment!” These extremes can actually lead to disappointment in the end. Under estimating and over estimating one’s ability to complete the tasks associated with a new opportunity can ruin that moment all together for everyone involved.

Instead, why not calm down. Take 24 hours and let the good news about that new opportunity settle. Then sit down with pen and paper in hand and draw out what you know about the new venture.

Think through the requirements that you will need to adhere to and then map an immediate direction to accomplish what needs to be finished. Opportunities abound for those up and coming in the photographic world. The needs of those requiring the services of a well rounded photographer are found in every aspect of life.

Show them that you can not only professionally handle the assignment they asked you to complete, but that you can complete their assignment in a calm and orderly fashion. Communication is key, but in order to properly communicate both sides in an opportunity must be listening. Listening, and the actual hearing associated with it, can easily be lost when one is focused on the excitement that surrounds an opportunity and not focused on the assignment associated with the opportunity.

Decide now how you will approach new things photographically by way of assignment that will stretch your comfort zone. Ask yourself, “How will I handle the good news that leads me to a new major assignment in the photo industry?” Then determine that you will be “calm, cool, and collected” through the whole process. Yes, allow yourself to be motivated by the excitement, but always remember that at the root of motivation is a well ordered path to success.

Here is an exercise for you. If National Geographic called you up out of the “clear blue” and said, “We have selected you to go on a photographic assignment to Italy for us.” How might you respond to the request? Handling hypothetical’s might help you understand your reaction. Take a little time to determine the how’s and what’s if you were posed with this opportunity.

3 comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Blogging for Lens' Sake, Photo Tutorials

February 16, 2011

Red Line Method in Goal Setting

By Michael Frye

SpaceBIMG_1239_0113 Is “the pen mightier than the” shutter? It just might be. Maybe it depends on what you are trying to accomplish, but then maybe not.

It sounds fickle doesn’t it? Maybe it is this, but maybe it is that. It is not really as “wishy washy” as it sounds. It is actually very straightforward.

There are some lessons that can be learned from grabbing a pen over grabbing your camera especially when you going out to shoot something in a purposeful way. Those lessons revolve around planning and setting goals. These are truly crucial to your success and absolute in determining the cause of failure.

On the topic of “cause of failure”. This time of year sees a backlash related to goal setting. Many set so many goals for the New Year only to find that the goals they set are overwhelming. It can be a huge list with inexhaustible action items, or tasks. The term “daunting” enters their vocabulary and everyone is acutely aware of their propensity for stress.

Look at your goals. Go ahead, pull them out. Want some help?

Here is a simple exercise for you. Read through the entire exercise before you actually do it. You will see why this is necessary in the end.

The Red Line Method in Goal Setting

Step 1

Take the first page of your goals list. If you haven’t listed them one goal per line do that now. Once you have finished that fold the paper containing your list in half from bottom to top.

Step 2

Open the paper and lay it flat in front of you. Get a pair of scissors. Cut the paper containing your list of goals along the crease of the fold.

Step 3

Set the bottom half of the paper aside. Make sure it is out of your sight. Hide it if you have to.

Step 4

Take the top half of the paper and fold it again. This time fold it only to where your first goal is listed. Fold only to below the first line. Make sure your first goal is visible.

Step 5

Read your first goal.

Step 6

Take a red pen and draw a very straight line under the goal. You can use the border of the bottom of your paper as a guide in drawing the very straight line.

Step 7

Work on only that goal until it is done.

SpaceBIMG_1239_0112 Now you could do all of the above or just look at that first goal and say, “I will work on only that goal until it is done.” In our society we are inundated with “how to’s”. They can be a real benefit to how we function, prepare, and accomplish. They can also be a detriment, because we can easily become lost in the process.

If you want to overcome the stress of feeling overwhelmed and accomplish the first goal then simply focus on it. Do only those things associated with it and then do not relent until it is done. Then you can move to the next goal in your list.

If you would like you can use the Red Line Method in Goal Setting again. However, taking that red pen you were made to retrieve for the exercise might serve to simplify things. Why not use it to simply cross that first goal off the list, so you can see that you have accomplished it.

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