Tag Archives: PhotoCapM

June 23, 2011

Clamorate! What’s That?

By Michael Frye

Over the last months my good friend and all around fantastic Dude, Dave Seeram (PhotographyBB Online Magazine), has teased me in our weekly conference call with little mentions here and there of something fantastic that was in the works. Trust me when I say that I had no idea what he and Corwin Hiebert were up to, but when they announced the pre-release of their new product two weeks ago, I was blown away by what they presented. These two found an entrepreneurial itch that needed scratching.

It is called Clamorate and this, in a nutshell, is what it is all about. (From Clamorate! About Us)

“Being creative is hard work. Managing and marketing your creativity is hard work too. We know. We get it. And we’re here to help. We are raucous web community of creative freelancers, sole proprietors, and small business owners who want to live the dream! clamorate! delivers the inspiration and information you need to grow and manage your creative business. clamorate! is in the trenches and we’ve got an amazing roster of industry pros and subject matter experts here to deliver the goods (we’ve got peeps like chartered accountants, lawyers, agents, advertising executives, business coaches, and project managers to just name a few). Starting, managing, and growing your creative business is tough and clamorate! is here to help!”

My initial impression of Clamorate as I perused its sections came in the form of a thought, “It’s about time.” The site is full of great articles, tips, and practical advise on starting and/or maintaining your business. Topics are broken down for easy access making the site itself very functional.

E-books on entrepreneurial mechanisms, methods, and spirit are already available with more to come in the future. Clamorate! Magazine will soon be available to the subscriber. The Forums are up and running. There you can get assistance, make a suggestion, and interact with other entrepreneurs.

The truly amazing thing about all of this is the price to access this much needed product. It is only $10 per month or $89 per year if you purchase a yearly membership. These grant you access to the coming magazine for free, discounted e-books from industry leaders, and the Forums. Access to LIVE webcasts, Clamorate’s archives, and the Screen Cast Library are also included.

I trust those who have put this wonderful product together. They are individuals who know how to help you get started or maintain your business. I highly recommend that you get subscribe and then get involved with Clamorate! This could be there very thing you need to take that next step toward success.

CHECK IT OUT RIGHT NOW! Visit: Clamorate!

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June 22, 2011

Apply Point and Shoot to Your Walls

By Michael Frye

IMG_0088Sm Father’s Day it rained. It rained a lot. As evening approached the weather man said that the storm would began breaking apart producing scattered showers. That was my queue to get out and shoot.

There is an area of Utah that I have come to love for its beautiful scenery and with the storm beginning to wane I decided to revisit this area. Off I went with The Traveler. He carries me everywhere I want to go to find and make the photographs I want to.

Morgan, Utah was our destination. At least the area around Morgan. The weather man did not disappoint in his prediction of what the storm was going to do and the sky was perfect for the photographic venture I had in mind.

Evening light, shadows, and clouds can make for some very dramatic imagery especially after a storm clears the air of smog and “juck”. This was what I found when I arrived. Clear air and mountain views as far as your eyes could see.

I intentionally took only my Canon SD1400 IS (Digital ELPH point and shoot) and left my Digital SLR at home. I wanted to get in some practice with the little camera I carry on my hip everyday. I also wanted to see if I could make high quality images with it.

Composition played a major role in using the camera. Second to that was finding the right lighting. I waited at several stops for long minutes to allow the clouds and sun to move into the correct position for the shots I envisioned.

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In the end I came away with some wonderful photographs proving something to me that I really had known all along. It is good to have the right equipment to do the right job. That equipment does not necessarily need cost thousands of dollars.

In my case the only equipment I needed for this venture cost less than $300 and is smaller than most smart phones. Still it did what I asked it to do and I found that my brain was the real tool in making the imagery I did. Knowing the rules for great image making was a real asset.

Some have said that “it is the photographer that makes the photograph and not the equipment”. I am inclined to agree with that most of the time. In the case of the Morgan, Utah area and me, as “photographer”, it applied fully I believe.

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There is application in this for you too. It does not take an expensive camera or oodles of photographic equipment to make great images to put on your walls. It is you taking the time to learn how that inexpensive camera works and striving to understand how images are best made from those who have made them the best.

Why not get out and shoot when that next storm comes your way. Wait for it to subside and then utilize the morning or evening light. Allow the clouds to paint shadows on the scenery before you.

Shoot away at what you see no matter the camera you have in your hand. When finished, take your very best and hang it on your wall, so that others can see it and you can remember the thrill of being there in that time and place. Who knows? It just might turn out to be some of the most dramatic scenery you have ever captured.

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June 20, 2011

The Edge 35: Remembering a Time

By Michael Frye

by: Tonya S. Winters

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When I think of summer, I remember my hometown. Hometown for me is the place I grew up; a place I lived out most of my childhood adventures, my stomping grounds of many explorations. A place known as Corpus Christi, located in South Texas off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

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Summer reminds me of the warm, sunny days spent on the beaches of Padre Island. Memories swarm my thoughts of smells of the salty sea grass growing in the sand dunes, the feel of the warm sand squishing between my toes as I trample up along the sand dune hills exploring on one of my early childhood adventures! The joy of spending hours swimming in the warm, salty water and the endless sandcastle building with the sounds of the crashing waves just in the distance reminds of a time… a time of youth, a time to be carefree, a time of pure innocence!

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My hometown is now the place that brings me joy as I share it with my children when we travel back home making new memories… some like the ones from when I can remember a time…the joys of summer!

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June 8, 2011

Sometimes a Priority, Never a Minority

By Michael Frye

Recently I noticed something about the time I spend in photography. I have been overly focused on it. To be perfectly honest, I never thought I would ever become so fully absorbed by it. None-the-less, I have. When I say, “absorbed”, I refer to the time required to prepare for a photographic trip, project, special request, and the photography itself.

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Two weeks ago my wife, Rhonda, said, “Let’s go some place.” She suggested Bear Lake, Utah. I thought it was a wonderful idea.

My initial thought and response was, “Great! It will give me a chance to do some spur of the moment photography there.” My response was not met with the enthusiasm I expected. Here is why.

Although my wife loves to travel with me, she is not a proponent of the hours, and sometimes HOURS OF, stop and go travel when on a “photo-adventure” with her husband. There is much of that when my purpose is to capture the areas I encounter. There can be long periods of quiet in the cab of The Traveler as I seek that particular spot to stop and set up.

Further, there is that long period of waiting after setting up. Why? Because, I want to make the photographs I gather worth the time that I invested in that single spot.

As you can imagine this type of thing does not make for a great trip for those who may not have the kind of interest you do in photography. This is the case with my wife. She loves seeing the country we travel through. She loves spending time with me (and that is reciprocated).

She loves seeing the end product of the images made while we traveled. However, from her perspective something is lost in the time that we spend together when I am so focused (absorbed) in “the shot”.

In regard to our trip to Bear Lake, I took my camera, but it never came out of my bag. Why, because there just was not time for it. The priority in making the trip was to spend some time focused on her; on us.

Did I take a few photographs? Yes, but I used my point and shoot and phone to take them. The focus was on her and not the scenery. Although, I consider my wife some of the best “scenery” around.

We had a wonderful time and we came away with some photographs that will serve to help remind us of the time we spent together that day. The point is this. Know your purpose in traveling as a photographer and then consider the feelings and purpose of those who might be with you. Better than this, consider it before you ever leave the house.

Certainly there will be times when traveling where the trip might be a once in a lifetime experience. In those cases it is hoped that understanding and compromise can be established, so that everyone’s needs can be met. Remember, where your relationships are concerned and travel required there are priorities that must never be determined a minority in the greater scheme of things.

Be absorbed, but know the absorption must be directed correctly based on the circumstances you find yourself in. This requires photography to “take a backseat” sometimes, provided your truck has one. If not, put it in the cooler, so that when it is time to picnic you can capture some great personal moments. The smiling images you may capture will be those you will remember for a lifetime.

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May 18, 2011

The Edge 35: Sunset Journey to Lake Crescent

By Michael Frye

by Tonya S. Winters

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Come and take a drive with me along the gorgeous scenic highway U.S. 101 on the western strip of beautiful Washington State from the town of Aberdeen north to the now well-known town of Forks. It is a warm, sunny day in May as we drive through the impressive Olympic National Forest, a rainforest exhibiting impressive breathtaking views and wildlife! Surrounded by massive Sitka Spruce, which thickly decorate the edges of the scenic highway on both sides, our journey will soon take us past Forks towards another town known as Port Angeles. As we proceed, the sun moves to the west. Shadows lengthen while rays of sunlight force their way through the trees creating strips of light across this nearly deserted highway.

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As we continue on, the heavily overgrown rainforest occasionally opens, though slightly generous, to allow a peek at the seemingly calm Pacific Ocean on the left. For an area known for having mostly rainy days, we just happen to embark on this journey on one of those rare sunny, clear days. But not for long as dark heavy-burdened clouds build at the horizon announcing a storm is near.

Though the scenic view thus far has been lovely, for any adventurer it is the anticipation of an unexpected scene that may lie ahead that brings hope of something unique and exciting on this journey. Our travels bring us through Forks and onward, leading us now east. Unknowing of our path before us, the drive begins to feel quite lengthy and the views of our journey through the Olympic National Forest are becoming quite repetitive. Just as a nap seems in order, we round a bend and find ourselves upon a stunning and quite unexpected on-the-road view! We come upon Lake Crescent at Sunset! The natural light brightening the trees just ahead of us and the end-of-the-day shadows crossing the road with a rich blue reflecting off the lake, though just a sliver of a view, and the deep, cornflower blue shadows over the cedars and Douglas fir trees retreating beyond the lake, creates a stunning picturesque view of the area. At last, we encounter our unexpected and most anticipated scenery surprise of our journey!

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Lake Crescent, located at the northern part of the Olympic National Forest, is an 8.5 mile long glacial lake known for its immaculate turquoise water reaching depths up to 624 feet! Lake Crescent, a beauty beholding great adventures desiring to be explored!

Follow Me on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/tswinters

Works Cited:

http://www.lakelubbers.com/lake-crescent-468/

(This article, and all photographs contained here in, is copyrighted by Tonya S. Winters, May 2011. It is displayed here with the expressed permission of Tonya S. Winters. No copies or facsimiles of this article, whether in part or in full, may be distributed without the expressed permission of Tonya S. Winters.)

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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:
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    • Good photographs come from understanding compassion and study of what you are representing.

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

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

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    • Set a goal, go somewhere no one has gone before and capture that moment.
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    • 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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