22December2008
Posted by Scott under: Opinion.
Photo by Scott Bourne
(Editor’s Note: If you’re the kind of person who has a Nikon or a Canon tattoo - or if you have painted your house yellow to match the Nikon logo, or red to match the Canon logo - stop reading now. You’re a lost cause and this post will just piss you off. Come back next week and I’ll talk about something else.)
Okay - I’ve sort of had it. For decades, the Nikon v. Canon debate has raged. At times, other contenders’ owners have also weighed in on brand wars. Questions like, “Why don’t you guys cover my brand of camera?” occasionally extend the brand wars to include Pentax, Panasonic, Sony and others. Why Aperture over Lightroom? Etc., etc., etc.
But why? I’ve spent all these years cataloging what I think are the reasons for the brand wars, and I’ll share those below. But man this is weird to me. Photographers get very passionate about their camera brand! When you think about it, it’s downright silly. It’s a CAMERA people. It’s not a family crest. Read the rest of this entry »
21December2008
Posted by Scott under: Photo Book Reviews.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2: A Digital Photographer’s Guide
Authors: Dave Huss and David Plotkin
Publisher: Focal Press
Review by Conrad J. Obregon
I suspect that as the Lightroom image processing software matures, users will be looking for different kinds of information to best use it. As a consequence, a book that may be perfect for new users may be too simple for experienced hands.
Huss and Plotkin provide us with an approach to Lightroom that may appeal to people already familiar with the software. The chapters of the book follow the format of most other authors, working the way through each of Lightroom’s five modules. When discussing the Library function they further divide the tasks into getting photos into Lightroom and organizing the photos, as well as using the quick develop functions. They examine the tools for adjusting photos in the development module, with a separate chapter on using the local adjustment tools introduced in Lightroom 2. They finish up by covering the slideshow, web and print modules. Read the rest of this entry »
20December2008
Posted by Scott under: Articles.
NOTE: This is a guest post and images are Copyright Canadian photographer Quin Barrie
Ever since broadband came to my neighborhood, I’ve been watching “NASA TV” online and following the Space Shuttle launches and missions. With every mission, it’s been awe-inspiring to learn of the unbelievable complexity of the Space Shuttle and Station, and of the massively dangerous task of space flight.
While snooping around one of the many spectacular image archives at nasa.gov, I found a link to the ‘Sighting Opportunities’ page for the Shuttle and ISS. I went there and entered in my location info, and it returned a list of times when the Shuttle and ISS would be flying over my area – at a mere 17,500 mph and just 200 nautical miles overhead!
Read the rest of this entry »
19December2008
Posted by Scott under: Articles.
Photo by Scott Bourne
You’ve decided that you want to go on a photo expedition. Perhaps a trek to Alaska or one of America’s beautiful national parks is in order? Here are some tips for effective scouting.
Start at home. With the advent of the Internet, there’s tons of information online for almost any destination. Use search engines to look up photos of the location. Use online mapping services to plan routes. Use online travel companies to arrange transportation and places to stay.
After you get the basics figured out, the next step is to actually go to the location. From a practical standpoint, unless the location is cheap and easy to get to, you may have to tie both your scouting and your shooting into the same expedition. Another tactic is to shoot during the magic hour around Sunrise and Sunset, and use the time in between to look around for the next shot. Read the rest of this entry »
18December2008
Posted by Scott under: Tips.
Photo by Scott Bourne
You’ve heard me rave about Nik Silver Efex Pro. One of the things I like about it is that you can create your own custom B&W styles at the click of a button. You can also share those styles with other photographers.
Nik Software has created a page full of additional styles that you can download for Nik Silver Efex Pro free of charge. If you have your own styles you’d like to share, let us know.
17December2008
Posted by Scott under: Articles.
Photo by Scott Bourne
I’ve been thinking about the ethereal side of photography. There’s always time to think gear. But what about the other stuff? So here are some random thoughts. Feel free to add yours as well in the comments section.
Photography gives us a basis for finding common ground. Through photography, we’re able to go places we would never otherwise go. It helps us obtain information about the world filtered through the eye of the artist.
Photography is very accessible and photographs are a landscape that most people know how to navigate. They might not understand why a painting or a sculpture is good or not, but they do know when a photograph is in focus, or properly lit.
Everyone knows what it’s like to take a picture and everybody knows what it’s like to be the subject of the picture. This discovery opens up the world and makes the subject of the photo immortal.
Still photography is often looked at as a second cousin to video. But still photography offers no distraction from sound or movement.
If a photographer is prepared to act during the decisive moment, he or she can capture that moment and share it with others almost immediately.
Photography is a simple form of communication that sometimes relies more on the human factor than on technique or gear.
Finding a great photograph is like finding a great treasure in a rummage sale.
If you’re a good photographer, the eye of the viewer becomes the eye of the photographer.
This post sponsored by Audible.com. For a free downloadable book, go to www.audiblepodcast.com/TWIP.
16December2008
Posted by Scott under: Tips.
Photo by Scott Bourne
Cold weather is on its way. Remember to stock extra batteries. And remember that condensation can really mess up your camera.
Here are some more cold weather photo tips.
1) Bring extra camera AND flash batteries. If you are going to photograph outside in the cold, your camera and flash will go through batteries at an astonishing rate. A battery that lasted all day in normal weather may wear down in a matter of minutes in the extreme cold.
2) Keep your spare camera batteries in your pockets, not in the camera bag. They will stay warmer there.
3) Keep cameras and flash units inside your coat when not in use. This will prolong the battery life.
4) Don’t bring the camera from extreme cold into a warm room. You will cause condensation on the lens or worse inside the camera and this can permanently damage both. Allow the camera to gradually warm up or put it in a tightly sealed plastic bag and allow the condensation to form on the bag, not the camera.
5) Make sure to dress warmly. Pay particular attention to keeping your hands, head and feet warm.
Cold weather photography can be particularly rewarding if you are prepared for it. But go out without extra batteries and you will have your day cut short every time.
This post sponsored by Lensbaby.
