Five Quick Tips For Better Point and Shoot Photography

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If you have a point and shoot camera, you can compete with those who have the fancy DSLR's. Some of my best and most profitable shots were made with the Sony H1 through H5 cameras. These cameras were particularly great for landscape shots.

The picture is of my old Sony H1 Camera with the telescope extender attached.


1. Use the timer on your camera. You will have less blurry shots - the camera moves when you press the shutter. Also, hold your breath while you shoot.

2. If you see a beautiful shot in front of you, also look behind you. You might be surprised by what you are missing.

3. Look at the lights and shadows. Having great light and shadows in your shots adds a natural feel of three dimensions.

4. Use the bracketing feature of your camera. If you take three exposures at different EV settings, you will be able to decide what is the better exposure. (EV is exposure value. EV compensation tells the camera to expose at a higher or lower setting than it thinks is right.)

5. When you compose your shot, think foreground, mid-ground, and far-ground. Look to see how the eye will be led through the picture.

Photographing for Dollars: Sports Photography

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In photography there are certain ways to assure an income. One thing to keep in mind, though - you have to be good. Event photography brings immediate results.

The selling scenario:

A simple formula to follow is if there is avid interest in an activity and you can capture things that stir people's emotional ties, those photos will sell. This is how I do this:

I go to an event such as a Natural Bridge Speedway race. I take pictures. People become curious about the guy with the camera. After the race, I send an email to the owner of the track, and tell them what I am up to. Plus I give them a link to a book I made on Blurb, and hope that they are impressed.

When I go to subsequent races, I bring the books and 8x10s, which are presented nicely in a case. I make sure that I give some photos and books to the owner of the track.



Now, I have their blessings to sell, but I still keep a low profile and let people approach me. Everything sells like hotcakes. I keep my prices low, like ten for an 8x10, and twenty for a book.

A small profit margin, but sales are repeated over and over.


This sounds simple enough, but you need to use tact, and be graceful. And be sure to thank the owner of the event for this special opportunity.

If this is all that happens, you will make some income. However, there are other possibilities.

Start thinking in a larger perspective. Could your photos be used for event promotions? And think of the countless products that could be made and sold through the event owners, or even the participants. Be creative and think out of the box, and even more income could come your way.

Now, this is a small-time operation that is run on a dime. Some people specialize in event photography and have the photos developed on the spot. Operations like this one have really capitalized on event photography.

Personally, I could not develop on the spot. Each photo takes time for me to process and I am very particular in getting the image enhanced just like I like it, but developing on the spot would definitely increase sales.

Photo Editing: The Best Programs and Filters

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If you are like me, photo editing is always a quest for finding the best tools. We just want each of our images to be more impressive than the one before. We strive for excellence.

And that quest can empty your pockets pretty quick. Soon you learn, though, what works best for you and find that many of those expensive filters you have bought have remained unused.

Now, I have some recommendations. These are the programs and filters that I use time and time again. And some of the recommendations might surprise you.

The article continues below:













The essential list:

Photomatix: This is the standard HDR (High Dynamic Range) program that everyone uses. It's one of the best and if used properly can really enhance the colors and details of your image.

Photo Impact Pro: It's a program that is very similar to Adobe Photoshop. The advantage of this program is the cost factor. It is much cheaper than Adobe Photoshop CS3 but has many of the same functions. In some ways I prefer this program over CS3 for editing some of my images. The photo above, and this photo, were edited strictly in Photo Impact Pro and Photomatix. I like Photo Impact Pro because sometimes the edited pictures have qualities that I cannot achieve in Photoshop.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended: This is the premier photo editing tool, at least until CS4 arrives. You can take a lifetime learning all the things that can be done with this fabulous program. The major cons of this program are the expense and the steep learning curve.

Filters I use most frequently:

Imagenomic: I use their pro noise reduction program. They do have a free community program that I used for awhile. The only problem I see with the community program is that it greatly reduces the size of the file you are working on.

Nik Software Color Efex Pro™ 3.0: This is a great program for making those photos pop. I love this program and all the filters that are included.

Viveza: It's also a program by Nik Software. Its ability to selectively adjust light, color, and contrast by control points is essential for the pro photographer. I use this program often.

Tiffin Dfx software: This product is sold by the same company that makes excellent filters for lenses. I highly recommend this this comprehensive suite of useful filters, and I use their filters often.

Nikon Capture: This is a great program for editing raw pictures non-destructively. I shoot in raw, and this is the program I use to tweak my photos before editing in Adobe Photoshop or Photo Impact Pro.

Lucis Art: This product adds a very creative unique touch to your photos. It does not work with all photos, but you can get spectacular results. I would add that if you are on a budget this should be the last program that you buy.

These are the programs that I use. You do not need them all at once. I would suggest starting with Photo Impact Pro and the community version of Imagenomic, which is free. Then as you learn and develop skills, start ramping up to the next level. You will know when it is time.

Five Cool Things about Flickr

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What is Flickr?

Flickr is the largest social photo sharing site in the world. Last time I checked, about six million photos are uploaded daily. They offer both free accounts and pro accounts. The cost of a pro account is 24.95 USD, which is a good investment even if you just use it as an online photo storage site. With a Pro account you have unlimited uploads in the original size of your images. You can make your photos public, private or just share them with friends. Well, that is neat, but now for the really cool stuff.

Cool stuff:

1. Flickr has third-party development with generous use of their API. This enables Flickr users to have many resources at their disposal for promoting photos. Perhaps there are thousands of configured uses. Check this out - it is all done from the Flickr API. It is one cool gallery that shows a very professional touch.

To get your free gallery, go to photofront. For a mere ten bucks more you can upgrade to a more flexible use of your gallery. And it is pretty much a lifetime subscription.

2. Another use of the API is that many companies enable you to directly access your photos for products. This greatly streamlines you time because you don't have to re-upload photos to their site.

Two of my favorites are:

Moo
I get my very unique business cards there. A pack of 50 with different pictures on each one!

Blurb
A self-publishing on-demand book store. So far, I have made three books there and the quality is top of the line.

3. The Internet presence of Flickr is huge. This in itself is a great advantage for aspiring photographers who want to be published. Just putting up your photographs and making them public brings offers for use from many necks of the Internet woods. This happens to me and it will happen to you.

4. People constantly ask me what formal training I have had in photography. Well, the truth is I have had none. What has improved my photos the most is seeing what others are doing on Flickr. Flickr has a vast network of socialization through groups, where you can learn to improve your photographs tremendously. Have you ever wanted to talk and learn techniques from the top photographers in the world? Flickr is your opportunity.

5. Do you constantly look through reviews to see what camera you will get? And do you wonder if the reviews will be unbiased? At Flickr you can see what users are doing with their cameras and quickly see the truth in the pudding.

This just scratches the surface of what Flickr has to offer. Start using it yourself and see the benefits.

Camera Repair: When it is in Pieces on the Ground

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Precision Camera Repair
Review:


Then it happens - you drop your DSLR and it is in pieces on the ground. Heartbroken, you pick up all the small parts. Is there hope?

Yes, there is. If you enter camera repair in the Google search, you will find Precision Camera comes up at the top of the list.

Last week I had the misfortune of my camera backpack opening while on my back. I heard a thump and looked down to see my D80 broken and in pieces. I carefully recovered the parts and did an online estimate for repairs.

Precision Camera quickly came up with an online estimate of 248 dollars, which included return shipping. I paid the estimate and sent the camera off along with a bag of the parts that had been spread on the ground.

I sent the camera on a Wednesday and checked the online progress. Precision received the camera Friday. It went into repairs on Monday and was headed back to me on Tuesday. By Friday, I had the camera back in my hands, in time for an important photo shoot on Saturday.

So how did Precision do, besides the very quick turnaround? Excellent. The camera was returned to factory specs, everything was recalibrated, they did a superior cleaning job both inside and out (including the sensor) and the camera software was updated.

The camera looked as good as it did when I first purchased it. Function-wise, everything was put back in exceptional order. They did a great job.

Precision Camera Repair is an authorized factory repair site for all leading brands of cameras. By the way, they even repair lenses. I truly expected a second higher estimate after they saw what bad shape my camera was in, but I never got that email and they performed the repair at the original online estimated price.

This was my second experience with Precision Camera, I had a Sony H5 that was still under warranty which they repaired, quickly and exceptionally well. Thus I had a great deal of confidence that they would repair my Nikon with the same high professional standard. I highly recommend if you break a camera or have a broken camera to give them a try.

Foggy Wood Strange Journey

Foggy Wood available locally at the Framery

Foggy Wood has been my most well  received photo that I have ever taken.  On September 3rd of 2010 it went on display at the National Geographic Museum as one of the most beautiful found in its archives.  I was indeed humbled by the selection by National Geographic Resident Photographer, Annie Griffiths Belt.  Who is one of the most noted and outstanding photographers in the world.  It was also a pleasure to have her to select my photo for her book, 'Simply Beautiful Photographs'.

The photo has had a strange Journey.  It had previously been in the March 2008 edition of National Geographic.  and has won second place in the National Parks Foundation Share the Experience Contest.  Foggy Wood has also appeared as a two page spread in JPG. Magazine. It has also had an odd trip of being echoed through the internet when Smashing Magazine posted 35 Fantastic HDR pictures.  This article echoed through the internet with thousands of re-postings.

 Recently I posted this as a comment on a blog when they were discussing the pluses and pitfalls of HDR (high dynamic range) photography.  Thankfully Mary Day Long the author of Mare Cognitum did enjoy my photograph and used it as an example of artful use of High Dynamic Range.  My comment is below:

Hi and thank you for your linking to my photo Foggy Wood. I imagine the trick in the HDR process is not to become too fascinated with how out of tune your photo can become. It is a temptation for many to push that envelope and end up with the results of what you speak. Really there is no substitute for good honest photography: composition, exposure, and the right aperture are all the factors you must get right. It is much like the old saying you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. I think that applies. The trick if you want to call it that is the enhancement has to be subtle and not stray away far from what the original image offered. Its very easy to do, I have done it myself more times than I can count.


But when just the right amount of spice is applied you can and may end up with a very unique and beautiful image. Foggy Wood has become a very well liked image by many. I suppose there are some who would not like it. And that is fine with me. Ultimately I pleased myself and that to me was all that mattered. It will be coming out in a National Geographic Book titled 'Simply Beautiful Photographs' Oct 19th. And it went on display along with other photographs at the National Geographic Museum exhibit Sept 3rd.


The photo has taken an interesting journey and I have enjoyed watching it find a path of its own.

 It is indeed interesting to me how this photo continues to draw interest since I first published it on Flickr on March 2nd 2007. 

It appears that it may be an enduring image, one that I could never replicate, one that perhaps as Ansel Adams would had said "God pushed the shutter button".

Ten Top Tips for Monochrome Photography

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Monochrome photography plays to a certain audience who desire a certain look for their interior designs. In a sense it is photography in its purest form relying on a pleasing variations of tones.

In the digital age any color photo can be desaturated of its colors to render a black and white Show allphoto.

1. Almost all photo editing programs have the ability to convert a photo to black and white. It is generally as easy as clicking a button to desaturate an image. But once you achieve this does the image reflect what you desire?

2. And in many programs you have choices. You could choose sepia, bluish tints, straight black and white etc. The style you choose is up to you. And although it may seem like an easy conversion there are many things to consider.

3. In the above photo a slight hint of sepia has been blended in the layers. To reach the point that I found pleasing. I used the black and white adjustment filter in Photoshop and added a slight yellowish tint. I used restraint in the amount of color mainly because a deeper sepia tone would obsure detail that I had carefully brought out in the image.

4. In monochrome photography without a color pallet you depend on tonal contrast to make emphasis, and impact. Striking monochrome photography relies on drama to capture the audience.

5. In the above photo the penetrating stare by both the mother and the baby influenced my decision to capitalize on the drama of the scene. But drama can take many forms and it could be just the relationship of light and darkness that makes a photograph a good candidate to be a monochrome image.



6. In this photo the tonal contrasts between the light and dark elements of the photograph was my deciding factor on processing this photograph as black and white. To emphasis the drama my choice was not to add any tinting to the photo. I decided on the sharpness of the black and white to be the major elements of interest in the photo.

















7. Sharpness is not always the deciding factor on choosing which photos to convert to monochrome. In this photo I chose to use the softness of the photo to draw on a sense of mystery. The blurring of the tonal contrast is what I think makes this photo pleasing. As well as effect of fog on the dappled light.























8. Sometimes less information can be more. This photograph in color would not have near the impact of a black and white image. The dramatic impulse of the deep black and whites was the deciding factors in converting this photo to black and white. The color version of this photo would have been completely unappealing.

9. My personal experience with black and white as opposed to color photography is that it appeals to a smaller audience. But, often the audience is more upscale in the prices that they will pay for good monochrome images. There is also a certain intrinsic reward in creating a beautiful image without the use of a large color palette.

10. I encourage you to experiment and not always think in terms of color. You may be passing up opportunities that you might just overlook if you do not look into black and white possibilities.

Christmas Discount code

I am pleased to announce a 15 percent discount code for prints at Robert Miller Photography through January 2nd 2010. Just use the code Christmasgreetings.

Robert Miller photograph discount code Christmas Code.

Photography Copyright Abuse What to do

The picture above was recently stolen in violation of my copyright.



I have posted an article on finding and what to do when you find that your images have been infringed upon. See the article on how to find your stolen images. Feel free to use this letter as a form to report your own copyright infringements.

In this post I will show you how I actively pursue copyright infringements. Yesterday, I sent out three letters to three different photo sites.

Here is a recently letter to photobucket:

Robert Miller
Address and phone nunber

Hello,
I am by this message filing a formal complaint about a copyright violation.

This photo on your site and offered for sale through you is a violation of my copyright.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/sunset/Usernameyouenvy/sunset.jpg?o=37

I request that the photo be immediately removed.
The original photograph with my copyright can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynchburgvirginia/128224894/

"I hereby state that I have a good faith belief that the disputed use of the copyrighted material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law (e.g., as a fair use)."

* "I hereby state that the information in this Notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, that I am the owner, or authorized to act on behalf of the owner, of the copyright or of an exclusive right under the copyright that is allegedly infringed."

Since you have offered this photo for sale I request that all revenues be sent to my PayPal account

Continued display of my copyrighted image for sale on your site will be at a charge of 500 dollars per day starting October 7, 2009.

Electronically signed,
Robert B Miller Jr
Address and phone number.

Photobucket's response:

Dear zack12349@hotmail.com,

Thank you for your request. Photobucket removed the content located at the
following link(s):
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb211/Usernameyouenvy/sunset.jpg

which request was based on your stated belief that such content infringes
your copyrights.  As you may be aware, Photobucket does not itself distribute,
store, or make available most of the content or files available through its
service.  Rather, most all such files or content are put forth by individual
users, and Photobucket has limited control over the content its users may
choose to share.  Nevertheless, Photobucket respects copyright laws and
expects its users to do the same.

Please be advised that Photobucket has removed the above-mentioned content
from its website.

Photobucket's response as set forth herein is a good-faith attempt to
courteously comply with your request at face value.  It should not be taken as
an admission or acknowledgment, of any kind, and Photobucket expressly
reserves all rights at law or in equity.

Should you have any questions about this matter, please contact Photobucket's
Designated Copyright Agent:

 
Daniel J. Cooper
Designated Copyright Agent
Photobucket.com, Inc.
PO Box #13003
Denver, CO  80201
abuse@photobucket.com
Fax: 303.395.1165


Sincerely,

Your Photobucket Support Team

Top Ten Tips on Protecting your Pictures Online

Unfortunately pictures even copyrighted pictures are often taken and used by profit by those who do not have permission to do so. This has happened to me and I am sure perhaps to you. So what can you do to protect your images?

1. Be sure and copyright your images: I suggest you make sure that you use the full copyright protection. If you use Flickr you can choose full copyright when you upload your photos.

I realize that there are lesser forms of protection like creative commons. There is much discussion in favor of creative commons, but you should realize that this opens the door for free use of your photographs without regard to your wishes.

If your picture has value and you offer it free you are not only hurting yourself, but everyone else who would wish to sell their photographs by devaluing the market as a whole. '

If you want to let someone use your photo for free for whatever reason you can grant that if your picture is fully protected. With full copyright protection, you always have this option. At times I have offered my photos free to non profit organizations or for causes I support.

2. Use Photo protection: If you use photo sharing sites like Flickr use the deepest level of protection the site offers. You can do this through the options you can select in your account.

Also consider only using a medium sized image viewable to the public. While security options can be defeated, this does offer a level of protection that you should utilize.

3. Read the TOS: TOS is short for Terms of Service. Most legitimate sites where you may post your photos has a link to the TOS on the bottom of their web page.

Be sure you are not granting rights for the site to sell you photographs to the public or to their affiliates. Generally, most ethical sites will not do this.

There are exceptions, and you should be fully aware of how a site may use your photos. Be wary if you read you are granting the site a license to use the photo in whatever manner they choose.

I personally do find it acceptable if the site wants to use your photo for promotion on their website.

Also, be wary of photo contests that want full licensing or even relinquishing of the copyright if you submit a photo to their contests. Your photograph may not win the contest and you might find it being used for profit through their company or affiliates. Here is example of what happened on one of these contests by Capital One.

TOS can be confusing, but it is up to you to know what you are giving up when you enter a contest or submit a photo to a site.

4. Periodically search your for photos: This might not be 100 percent effective in finding misuse of your photos, but it is a useful tool. Google Similar Images is a beta program that allows you search for similar photos like yours, and perhaps you will find yours. There are sites that will use your images for profit without your permission and this is one way to find those sites.

UPDATE: One of the best tools for finding your photos online has been released in beta: It is called TinEye. I have used this search on one of my photos and it turned up six occasions when someone has used the photo claiming it was theirs. As TinEye moves from Beta it will offer even a larger data base for finding your photos even if they have been altered. This is really a great tool.

What I personally allow is use of my pictures of web resolution only with a link back to my original picture. Use of my photos with a link back I consider a good promotional tool.

5. One thing to do if your photos are stolen; If you find you photos where illegally taken off a sharing site like Flickr and put up for sale on another site. Contact your sharing site immediately. If it is Flickr send an abuse report.

I have found that most theft through Flickr happens through use of their API. If someone has abused the API according to their TOS they are quick to act. Other photo sharing sites would also respond quickly also.

6. Confront the abuser: This can result in varied responses. In most cases the abuser will remove your photo. Often times the abuser has acted out of ignorance and will remedy the situation to your satisfaction.

However if you do not get satisfaction, it is time to consider demanding payment or hiring a copyright attorney. To understand copyright protection here is what you need to know.

7. Do not over react: Whenever you find an image of yours being used, be sure to check if it is being used for profit by the site in question. As I stated earlier I allow people to use web resolution photos of mine if they provide a link back.

This can work in your best interest in promoting your photos for sale, by expanding the audience base. I allow this even without providing permission.

Also, when you join sharing sites or enter contests realize that limited licensing of your photos are appropriate. You must way the value to you in allowing limited use of your photos. I tend to allow this unless the licensing is far ranging.

Every grant of rigthts should be carefully considered when you read the TOS on the site. When you do find misuse of your photos I would suggest to try to talk first to resolve the issue. But if resolution is not achieved a stronger approach may be necessary.

8. Finding your photos on publications: I have at times found my photos on publications used without my permission. In each case I have successfully resolved the issue through communication with the publication and reaching a fair sum for compensation. I have yet had to file a copyright infringement suit, but if necessary I would. My rule of thumb is to talk first, but if needed do not rule out legal action.

9. Using photo sharing sites: One of the main advantages of using photo sharing sites like Flickr that the copyright notice is applied to your photograph as soon as it is published. It not only protects your photograph it provides a timeline that few can dispute. Any photo posted later by another and attempted to be copyrighted can be sucessfully disputed by which one came first.

10. Use a watermark: I use watermarks on all of the photos I post to Smugmug. I do not do this with Flickr although it could be helpful. Watermarks can be cloned out but takes some effort. On Flickr I have only low resolution pictures available that are only of web resolution.

Top Ten easiest ways to understand F stop

Photo Taken with a 55-200mm Nikon vr lens.


F Stop maybe the singular least understood term in photography. And when I have even talked to some accomplished photographers their eyes have glazed over at the mere mention of the term.

What makes F Stop hard to grasp to many is that the higher the F Stop the less light enters the lens.

Now, if that is not confusing enough the term F stop is loosely used as a measure in ISO and shutter speed.

1. The Video: To grasp all of this may seem daunting, but I hope by the time you reach the end of this post you will have a firm basic understanding. Lets start with this short video that will visually give you a quick jump start on the concept of F Stop.


2. A little more depth: Well, the video gives you a quick overview of what F Stop is. And you see how they are using F stops in the understanding of shutter speed and ISO.

To be more technically correct they should just be saying stops.

The official definition of F Stop is:

In optics, the f-number (sometimes called focal ratio, f-ratio, or relative aperture) of an optical system expresses the diameter of the entrance pupil in terms of the focal length of the lens; in simpler terms, the f-number is the focal length divided by the "effective" aperture diameter.

What this amounts to for the photographer is a number on the scale which tells how much light is allowed to come in through the lens.

This is controlled either by a ring on the lens or through camera settings. It really works like your eye. The iris will contract or get larger to expose the pupil to more light.

In a photographic lens these are like leaves that make the opening for light smaller or larger. Just remember the higher the F number the smaller the hole.

(Aperture also controls dof or depth of field which is entirely another concept which deserves a post of its own).

3. Lets check our understanding: We now know that F Stop is a number that shows how much light is let in the lens by an iris diaphragm getting larger or smaller. This is true F Stop.

Larger numbers mean a smaller opening, smaller numbers mean a larger opening. We also know that Stops are also used in relation with ISO and shutter speed.

Stops are in reality is just a short hand word so one photographer can tell another "I can get another stop out of this lens." Another photographer would understand this to mean this lens can use less light and still get a good shot.

4. All things work together: In most modern cameras the user will see on the camera dial at least these settings: A S .

For our purposes in this post, these are the only two settings we will discuss.

A means aperture setting. When the photographer uses this setting he is controlling the iris diaphragm of the lens, the camera with its on board computer controls shutter speed and tries to adjust for the best picture.

Aperture settings I have found useful in fine tuning the contrast of an image and controlling DOF (Depth of Field).

The lower the F Stop the narrower the dof.

Depth of field is the amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in acceptably sharp focus.

S means shutter setting: The length of time the shutter is open the more light is let into the camera.

The camera computer controls everything else to get the best picture. Using the S setting you can try to eek out the fastest speed to capture action, or the slowest speed for pictures in low light.

A lens with a small number for a F Stop can use less available light to get a good picture. It is considered a faster lens for this reason.

By faster it means that you can shoot at a higher shutter speed and still get a good picture. And the camera will acquire focus quicker.

This is because most auto focus systems use points of contrast to auto focus on. If you are using a lens on the edge of its ability with available light: Contrast is harder for focus system to detect.

5. A general rule: The longer the lens the more available light is needed. The best long lenses have "Big Glass" and can be stepped down to a low F Stop. This is the ideal, but it is very expensive. It also requires a tripod (or a monopod) to keep that heavy glass steady.

6. Exceptions to the general rule: With both lens technology improvements, camera improvements and noise reduction software improvements: There are some lenses that can get great images even though they do not have that low F Stop number.

They offer a lower cost opportunity to get good images from lenses. And can be hand held with great results.

Digital cameras are also improving in handling higher ISOs. The ability of a camera to take good images at higher ISO's is arguable more important than mega pixels in camera selection.

I highly recommend the Nikon 55-200mm vr lens that I get consistently great shots and it is one of the least expensive Nikon lenses. It is quick, works great in fairly low light conditions and it produces high quality images. The image at the start of this post was taken with this lens.




And, I have been impressed with the shots photographers are getting with the Sigma 150-500 HSM lens. Even at 500mm this lens produces shots with exceptional detail.



These two lenses are great examples of how technology met the challenge of producing superb lenses at a reasonable cost.

7. F Stop as a measurement in ISO and Shutter Speed: We saw in the video how F Stop can be communicated in terms of ISO.

This is more or less is a measurement factor and should be explained as gaining or losing a stop rather than a F Stop to be more technically correct. First lets understand what ISO is:

ISO equivalence on a digital camera is the ability to increase the sensitivity of the sensor to enable faster shutter speeds and/or better performance in low light.

One Stop according to the video would be increasing the ISO from 100 to 200.

So you would gain one stop in this scenario. Since 200 ISO requires more sensor sensitivity you would be stopping down.

Likewise if you increase the time the shutter is open you would also be stopping down.

8. Other Factors: So by now you are getting things a little firmer in understanding the term stop in photography.

One stop is a measurement tool of a change in settings, and one stop equals twice as much light as the previous stop.

Another tool a photographer uses are neutral density filters that block the amount of light coming in the camera.

To get that silky texture of waterfalls many photographers prefer a slower shutter speed and the filter allows the photographer to accomplish this without blowing out the picture highlights. Other uses are controlling depth of field.

9. Buying lenses: Perhaps one of the best uses of the knowledge of F Stop is evaluating the lenses you buy. If a camera has an F Stop number in the low range. You know it will be a great performer.

10. Watch the Video again: Just to reinforce what you learned here, I highly recommend you watch the video again. I think you will understand with a greater depth of this somewhat hard concept to grasp.

Ten Top Ethics for a Nature Photographer

Many disciplines have their ethical guidelines, including fields of photography like photojournalism. I am not sure if others have their ethical guidelines for nature photography, but I thought I would share mine.

1. Share beauty: What you capture in lens can be so beautiful, entrancing and wonderful. Help guide others to the appreciation of beauty you see as a communion of spirit. Let others know of your deep respect and love for nature. So that love can help them find their love.

2. Respect the land: With every action you do when you step into the world, try to leave the least imprint of your presence. If you see where someone has left garbage or something that has marred the environment, do what you can to set things right even in small ways.

3. Do by example: If you go on an outing with someone else show by your behavior your respect for nature. Sometimes small little acts are worth more than a thousand words of advice.

4. Treat animals with love and respect: Animals deserve our respect and love. Never mistreat, abuse animals in nature. Follow the guidelines in not feeding wild animals. And share with others the reason why. Respect the space of animals and do not intrude or interrupt their life.

5. Become in sync with nature: Go quietly into nature. So often I see people in conflict with the sounds of nature that they never have the opportunity to see the beauty that unfolds around them. Noise and even loud voices interrupt the rhythm of the natural world and as you pass through nature it will hide from you til you are gone.

6. Take the time to observe: Quiet and stillness are some of your best friends in the natural world. Take the time to be still and just look to see and feel. And the world will open to you.

7. Teach the children: Show your children appreciation of nature, teach them what you know. And show by example your love and respect for the physical world.

8. Remind yourself of your ethics: Even with this exercise of writing this post. I am remembering and reinforcing what I know is important. Sometimes I stray, but thinking about these things again helps me to better interact with nature.

9. Learn from the example of others: There are many who excel in their dealings with the natural world more than you or me. And you can learn lessons just by watching. You can learn from anyone they may be smarter than you or less so. But they all have lessons to teach.

10. Man's world is different than the natural world: Sometimes it is easy to lose sight that man makes a world different than the natural world. Man has estranged himself from nature in many of his thoughts ideas and concepts. He lives almost in an artificial world of politics and his technological environment . I think it is important to understand our artificial world for what it is and the natural world for what it is. When I move in the natural world I try to leave man's world behind.

Ethics to me are not hard and fast. They are a guide and a reminder of how we humans and nature should interact. And if you can bring your camera to illustrate the beauty and spirit of nature you are performing a service to yourself and perhaps others.

Top Ten Ways to Improve Your Photography

Photo Mystery of Grace.
Caption: “I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.”
Anne Lamott


Are you on the top of your form and you have reached the top photographic perfection? My hat is off to you. For someone like me it is like being in the old west. There is always a faster draw and I am still learning how to slick out that gun faster.

Photography has been a continuing challenge. And it is a constant learning curve that I climb.

And I am certain that hill will always be before me. On this hill there are photographers both behind and ahead of me. But the important thing is that I continue the journey.

So having been on this sojourn for awhile I thought I might share some thoughts to my fellow travelers.

1. Its not the camera: Many of my published shots and those that have won contests have been done with a point and shoot camera. Right now I have a picture that has been accepted to a National Juried Show that was taken with a digital elph.

While like most photographer junkies, I am constantly up grading my equipment. But like a jarring stick I am constantly brought back to the reality that any and every camera can be an effective tool. The best advice I have ever heard for a camera purchase is does the camera feel right in your hands.

2. Its not the photo editing program: I have used a variety of photo editing programs and have gotten great results with all of them. I must say Adobe Photoshop is my favorite. But I have pictures that have over six million views and have won contests that have been edited in cheap programs like Microsoft Digital Image Suite and have never been touched in Photoshop.

3. Its not even the photographer: I do think if you handed a camera to a monkey and he took enough pictures that somewhere in that pile would be some great photographs. I think you could even take great photographs with your eyes shut. Revisit this post to see the evidence.

I am constantly surprised when I see cameras sold on eBay that only have a couple of thousand or less shutter actuations. I take that and more in one days shooting. If I advertised my camera for re sale on eBay it would go something like this:

A used to death Nikon D80, all the paint worn off all the buttons. Camera has been used in the rain, snow, sleet, and has been submerged under water. Like a Timex this camera has taken a beating and keeps on ticking off great pictures. Shutter life expectancy 80,000 actuations. This camera has a quarter of a million. I think it is just getting broken in. By the way, this camera is not for sale, I love it.

The point is take lots of pictures and you will end up with some great shots.

4. It is not Photoshop by the numbers: If you follow Photoshop tutorials remember that you are doing the same thing everyone else is doing. The best way to use those tutorials is to look for small things that you can add to your own style. If you follow the full tutorial realize you are using a cookie cutter approach and you photographs will be a generic feel similar to everyone who follows the tutorial.

This reminds me about paint by the numbers that was popular in the late fifties and early sixties. One clown picture really sticks in my mind that was done by millions. Oddly, this has evolved into collector art, and even a paint by number picture was hung in the White House by none other than Edgar J. Hoover.

5. It is composition: Photo composition is the primary reason photographs draw an audience. While you can have all the technique and style in the processing end, if you don't have a good or even great composition your photo might as well be decorating a dung heap. There are many ways to frame your photographs. And people have written extensively about all the techniques. You should read them, know them, and make them a part of your DNA.

Remember a photograph is only a flat piece of paper. Using composition tricks the viewer in finding depth reaching for that three dimension feel. And, if you enter the fourth dimension that portends symbols and markers for the audience to relate. You will capture the imagination of the viewer.

So how do you know your composition is working? Well, if you have made the knowledge of composition part of your DNA. You will get an actual feeling of wow before you push the shutter. Yep, you feel when you are in the zone. It is a thoughtless process and that is what works for me.

6. It is paying attention to detail: This was and is one of my hardest and continuing lessons. My processing time for a photo is at minimum now about four hours. I try to pay close attention to each nuance of the photo. I will intently go over the photo by enlarging it to view almost each pixel. Even then, I can find flaws after the photo is processed.

I just do not tell anyone were the flaws are, but they really stand out to me. And, I do go back often to correct them.

Attention to detail in photography is paramount. Henri Cartier-Bresson touched up his photos with a one hair brush. This is what separates the wheat from shaft in photography. This tool, I have found indispensable in photo processing. If you do not have it, it should be your next purchase to improve your photos.

7. It is knowing light. Photography in the basic sense is how objects interact with light. This is what you are recording and it is the most basic element of photography. As composition should be part of your DNA, your knowledge of light should be second nature to you also. Study light and your photography will improve by quantum leaps.

8. It is knowing your black and white point: By black point I mean the very darkest part of your photograph and white is the lightest. Between those points are the gradients of change. Each point in that transition defines your photograph. Everything from tonal contrast, effective colors, to sharpness and blur are reliant on effective black and white points.

9. It is passion: It is having that driving force that compels you to take the best photograph you can. And it is the gumption to process your photograph at the highest level of your skill. It takes a certain amount of compulsive behavior to continue to aspire and push yourself harder. And you have to enjoy the push, if not find something else you are passionate about.

10. It is confidence: At some point you have to decide that you are a good photographer. And even better a great photographer. There is lots of competition and there are many great photographers. You have to elevate your self esteem, and promote yourself in that class. If you do not consider yourself a great photographer no one else will either. I generally let my pictures do my talking by carrying a portfolio.

Ten Top Tips on avoiding camera scams and getting the best camera deal

Are you planning to make that big step forward and upgrade your camera equipment? Do you need some practical advice in getting the best deals and safely buy online? Its a jungle out there and here is the top ten tips on taming the beasts.

1. Do not buy blindly: There are predators out there who are looking to separate you from your cash. You will see ads in the internet jungle that appear to be legitimate companies offering unbelievable deals and I suggest you don't believe. At the least they are bait and switch operations and can be even more sinister once they have your credit card information. The companies change their names and location often and you will see them in internet ads. Perhaps even on this page.

Top ways to be savvy:
Before you buy Google the name of the company and complaints.

Check the Better Business Bureau.

Take a look at Thoughts by Dave and through all his posts to help identify these predator sites. He is constantly uncovering these sites and it is worthwhile to look through all his posts.

And for your entertainment and education look at Brooklyn Camera/Electronic Dealer Store Fronts. Here you will find a guy who researches camera dealers and bikes to their place of business. He takes pictures of the stores or supposed stores. Be prepared to see the seedy side of these glitzy websites.

Buy from the true and tested companies that specialize in cameras. Adorama, Cameta, BH camera and Amazon are companies that you can trust. Consider buying from these companies through Amazon. Just look at more buying options and you may see better deals through these vendors.

2. Be wary of Grey Market cameras: If you live in the United States cameras made for other country markets and sold by resellers can offer a serious compromise in getting warranty service. For instance Nikon USA will not service grey market cameras or provide firmware updates.

Generally you can identify a Nikon Grey Market camera by the first digit of the serial number.

3 means Nikon USA.

While grey market cameras might be made exactly the same as Nikon USA models, I have heard rumors that the Asian Nikon D300 is not encased in magnesium but polycarbonate.

Serial numbers beginning with:
2 - Japan
3 - USA
4 - Europe (excluding UK)
5 - Canada
6 - Australia / New Zealand(?)
7 - Asia (excluding Japan)
8 - UK


3. Getting the best Deal refurbished:

Buy refurbished: This is one of the best ways to buy a camera, generally you will have to look hard to tell it was refurbished at all.

I buy Nikon and if I buy a refurbished camera I am confident that the camera has been cleaned, re-calibrated and brought up to standards by Nikon.

I personally consider this a better option than buying new. They check these cameras more intensely than the ones coming off the assembly lines.

Cameras that are refurbished come with a 90 day Nikon warranty. Unless you buy through Cameta that offers a full year warranty. I really recommend buying through Cameta I have only had great experiences with them. Cameta has internet store fronts on Amazon and eBay. Check both.

4. Buy Used: Go carefully into this dark night. You can buy used on eBay and on Amazon I would suggest Ebay.

Use due diligence by making sure your product is not grey market by following the previous advice.

Buy through Pay Pal to assure that the product is not misrepresented or a scam.

Look carefully at the pictures and if they are stock photos be more cautious. Look for missing items that you may need to purchase.

Read the item description carefully to identify any hidden surprises. Look for the number of camera actuations that can be discovered by using a program from Opanda.

Check the sellers rating.

Check the other products the seller is selling.

Be wary if the seller like this: "quantity ten used cameras." Or if they offer free shipping on other items which are cheap large and heavy.

I have seen one seller selling ten new cameras and grandfather clocks at a cheap price and free shipping. eBay removed him from their listing because it was an obvious scam.

Ask the seller a question just to make sure how responsive he will be after the sale.

Bid in the last minutes of the auction to avoid driving up the price.

5. Use Bing Shopping: Bing shopping is an innovation by Microsoft Live and can offer you savings on eBay shopping at about 8 percent. These are generally for buy now items, and can give you serious cash back when you buy refurbished from companies like Cameta.

6. Consider buying broken cameras: Now this might seem like strange advice if you are not familiar with camera repair.

Yet, most people will shy away from buying a broken camera and the price can be seriously lower than cameras in mint condition.

Now this can be a crap shoot, but repair companies like Precision Camera do a really good job on camera repairs quickly and bring your camera up to manufacturer specs. I have used Precision Camera and recommend them highly. If for instance, you have a broken Nikon D300 the repair would be about 300 dollars. Another camera repair place is Teleplan. They offer repair prices cheaper than Precision but I have no experience with them.

UPDATE: You should check this before having repairs done by Teleplan.

7. Consider Sam's Club auctions: Sam's Club auctions are completely reliable and offer new products. They may not have the camera you are wanting but chances are you will get a great deal if they do. Products are new in the box. A Sam's membership is required.

8. Think before you buy: Remove the impulse trigger from your finger tip. Do your research and think carefully. Consider all of your options.

9. Look an auction over at least three separate times: Understand the seller is bound by their description. Sometimes descriptions are updated during the auction. So read carefully and look at the pictures intently.

If I am seriously considering buying I may even copy the picture and blow it up to see all the fine details I can detect.

10. Good luck with your purchase: If you do your research well you should end up with a great product perhaps at a considerable saving.

One final hint if you are buying used is to look at the paint wear on the camera buttons. If the wear is noticible consider that this may be a camera on its last legs.

Ten top tips on exposing your Photographs to the World

Title: God's eye view of Yellowstone

Caption:

To shoot poignant pictures we only need follow the path of our enthusiasm . I believe that this feeling is the universe's way of telling us that we are doing the right thing. The viewing public will always disagree over the intrinsic merits of a particular photograph, but no one can deny the enthusiasm that originally inspired us to capture and offer that image to others. - Timothy Allen - On choosing subject matter - From an interview in 'Photographer' Magazine (Russian)


Once you have a beautiful photograph and it is a wonder to behold: The art of presentation to the world is often neglected. How you present your photograph to your audience is as important as the photograph itself. Here are some tips I have learned from experience.

1. Titling your photograph: All to often I have seen photographs represented by their file name. The title of the photograph is the bow on the package and the enticement to the gift within. I usually arrive at a title by how the photograph impresses me. Or sometimes by using a few words of the selected caption.

2. Selecting a caption: The few words that you add to your photograph in the caption can catapult your photograph high in the viewers mind.

How you choose a caption should be careful and deliberate. Most of the captions I use are thematic and are generally based on quotations about nature or photography.

A resource I use extensively is PhotoQuotes. Photoquotes is one of the best sites available for finding captions. It is easy to navigate and void of pop ups like many other quotation sites. It has a very well researched data base.

Not only does it provide a wealth of ideas about captions, I use it as a starting point to research other photographers.

3. Deciding on how to expose your photograph: I have really covered this topic in The Ten Top Reasons photographs sell.

I do have one more bit of advice and that is keep exploring opportunities on the Internet. As an example I would like to tell you PhotoQuotes is starting a new project titled: Showcase your photography book / fine art print on PhotoQuotes.com
This is an excellent opportunity to increase the exposure of photographs. And, it is not only good for the promotion of your photography: It is a good thing to do.

I highly recommend that you participate and you will see my name as one of the accepted photographers.

4. Think globally and think locally: An example of thinking globally is showcasing your photos on PhotoQuotes.

You should also think locally. I have given advice that you should donate photographs locally.

This is my personal project to give you an example. I am donating a 20x30 framed print to the Blue Ridge Medical Center in Arrington Virginia.

My plan is to do this for every medical center in Virginia that serves the poor. If you would like to help with this project Contact me. Your help would be deeply appreciated.

5. Think multiple sites: People can find my photographs on many sites. Two of the primary sites I use are SmugMug and Flickr. Both those sites have been a boon for photography.

I also use countless other sites such as: Zazzle, RedBubble, and Blurb.

6. Expand your list of social contacts: I use both Twitter and Face Book to expand exposure of users of photographs. I am sure there are many sources useful for your photographic brand to be discovered in other social media outlets.

Yet keeping up with those two are as about daunting as I care to be. Importantly, look for friends in the publishing field.

7. Build relationships with galleries: Galleries are by far much better for your exposure than the Internet. Having exposure where people can see your photographs displayed beats any online gallery. If you have trouble finding galleries that will exhibit your work try upscale consignment shops. I sometimes get better prices with some of those.

8. Be persistant: Sometimes having a lot of logs in the fire can become overwhelming. You have to take the time to re stoke the embers to keep the flame going. This is one of the most difficult tasks for me. But it is a necessary task, and I have to redouble my efforts.

I try to set some time each day to do what is needed at the different sites that represent my work. The old adage if you don't use it you lose it definitely applies. And an aside to you this is my major weakness.

9. Offer people commissions to sell your work: Good agents are hard to come by. But we all know those go getters out there. Do some of your own recruiting. In the present economy you will be surprised how enthusiastic some people can be.

10. Be Johnny on the spot with emails: Try your best to answer every inquiry promptly. Being a photographer you are often in the field. Try to take care of those back logs of emails.

Ten Top Tips for a Photographer's Wish List

Photo taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera


Being on top of your game in the photographic field not only requires top photo skills but keeping up with new developments. Here are some product tips and short review of what I have found interesting.

Some of these I own myself, others are on my wish list. And some, I thought might just be interesting, but I have no plans to purchase. Check my recommendations here for an honest opinion.

1. Eye-FI SDHC card

* Wi-Fi Security: Static WEP 40/104/128, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK Mac and PC Compatible
* Stores photos and videos like a standard memory card
* Wireless upload of photos and videos via Wi-Fi to your PC or sharing, printing, social networking or blogging web site, even when computer is off
* Upload photos and videos wirelessly from over 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the nation.
* Automatically adds geographic location information (geotags) so you can easily find and organize your memories.

This is not on my list to buy. A neat idea but is it really necessary item for me or you?



2. Polaroid Pogo:

* Digital camera with integrated printer instantly delivers full-bleed borderless images that are dry to the touch
* Features automatic image quality optimization with water-resistant, tear-proof, smudge-proof and peel-off prints
* Prints 2 x 3-inch borderless color images in under a minute
* Print speed: 60 seconds per print, from snap to share

Wow, I thought this was interesting Polaroid is getting back to the instant picture concept again. I can't see the need for this camera for me. But there maybe some creative minds out there that see advantages I do not.




3. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera

This is one very cool camera to carry in your pocket. I bought one before a trip to Yellowstone and I am impressed by its ability to have a long aspect ratio. As an added benefit the HD movies it can record are just superb. The picture above is an example of its ability. I use this camera on every camera shoot even if I have my DSLR with me. An indispensable pocket camera.



4. LensBaby Composer:

Yes, this is definitely on my wish list. I have seen what can be done with this lens and I want a lens baby to call my own.

This new lens from Lens Baby offers creative control for the experimental photographer. The ball and socket design and interchangeable lenses offer the ultimate in getting that sweet spot just were you want it.



5. Joby GP1-EGEN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod:

This tripod is definitely on my to buy list. I see uses for it when I do event photography and need a third hand.

Flexible tripod designed for digital cameras weighing up to 9.7 ounces (275 grams)
Fits into your purse, backpack, or jacket pocket
Innovative segmented leg design to ensure secure mounting
Standard universal 1/4-20 screw for attaching your camera to the tripod mount




6. Caselogic UP-2 Universal Pockets:

If you have had any experience with caselogic cases, you know their quality at a reasonable price. These pockets are great for small camera protection in your pocket. I own several and use them daily. One is connected to my key chain now.



7. Holga 120CFN Medium Format Fixed Focus Camera with Lens and Built-in Flash with Color Filter Wheel:

Not exactly an innovation, but a blast back into film cameras. This is one of the premier cult cameras with all the desired idiosyncrasies of the beatnik artistic photographer. Be sure to read extensively about lomo photography. And you too can become a debutant in off beat artistic photography.

This goes on and off my wish list as often as a coin turns up head or tails. A low priority, but may get one someday.



8. Lowerpro Sling bag:

Definitely on my to buy list. I have a camera bag that carries all my equipment and it is great to get everything in one spot: the car. Twenty pounds is a little much to lug around. A small light bag like this would be perfect to carry the essentials on a hike or event shoot.



9. Tamrac N-5055 Neoprene Shock Absorber Digital Camera Strap (Black):

I own this and love it. Do you ever get tired of the camera strap digging into you neck. This solves the issue and I love the two pockets on the strap that I store my memory cards. Now I always have my memory cards ready to change. A definite must have.



10. Wacom Intuos tablet:

You mouse is like a bar of soap on rough slate. This is like a precise instrument that can reach to the one pixel level. I have this love it and do not know how I did without it.

Top Ten Tips to evaluate your photos

Two wolves at Yellowstone

Photo caption: “When twilight drops her curtain down and pins it with a star, remember that you have a friend though she may wander far.”
unknown

How to self critique your photograph, may be one of the most important evaluations that you can do. This can be especially important if you are photographing for others. You need to refine your eye to do a critical analysis of your photograph.

1. Begin before processing: Remember to take many pictures. And if possible from different angles and heights. Check the framing, composition and lighting. Process the picture that has the necessary material in the raw form to make an exceptional photograph.

2. Process your photograph: Use your best skills in processing a photograph. Photographer's have style. What is yours? Is it based in the tonality of the picture, light, contrast and composition? Is the photograph telling telling your audience to say wow? Just from the implementation of your style.

The way to develop style is to look at the photographs of those that are considered best. Look for their style, but do not be a mimic.

Could you recreate the styles you like? And more importantly can you use what you learn from others as an embarking point to develop your own unique work.

3. Does your photograph have depth: Photographs are two dimensions portraying three dimensions. If your photograph looks flat you automatically lose your audience.

Refine your understanding of composition by thinking in spacial terms. Good photography leads the eye through the photograph. The deeper a person can look into a photograph is directly related to the appeal of the photograph to the viewer.

Simple principles of geometry can add greatly to the feeling of depth.

4. Does your photograph tell a story: Not all good photographs tell a story. Nevertheless, if your photograph does it will help peak the interest level in your photograph.

The story need not be elaborate, but does the photograph tell you something or make you think.

5. Does you photograph have meaning: Photography is much like writing in this sense. You have to define your audience. Who is your audience?

Are you playing to a larger universal audience or more of a personal audience? Does your photograph have meaning to your audience?

6. Does your photograph capture the senses: By default photography is a visual medium. But good photography can and does engage other senses.

How does the photograph make you feel? What other senses are engaged: taste, hearing, touch. Does your photograph speak to other senses?

7. Is your photograph half baked: Did you take your photograph out of the processing oven too soon?

Enlarge your photograph and look at the small details. Are these the best they can be? If not correct your photograph. I usually magnify my photo to about 800 percent and pour over the details looking for flaws.

8. Can you be unbiased in your appraisal: Everyone is subjective including me. Realize you are not looking through the perfect prism when you evaluate your photographs.

Put your photographs up in social sharing sites like Flickr. On these sites people are generally complementary about your photographs, so a measure of best photos could be the number of views and invites you may get.

Sometimes harsh criticism is hard to find. Any you do get should be valued and looked into carefully.

9. Review your photographs again at a later date: Take a fresh look at some of your older photographs. How can they be improved?

Consider reprocessing or even deleting to have the best photographs represent your work.

10. Continually review the work of others: Study the work of others often. Surf the net and see what surfaces to the top.

See what others think are great and try to understand how it was done. Photography is a school that you never graduate it is a continual learning process.