People Photography Week – Saturday

This week will be devoted to people photography – by popular request on twitter. Wildlife photography was the second choice. Over at DPE, my friend Juan Pons is offering a week of wildlife photography tips. So you get the best of both worlds!

I took all the photographs for this week’s blog posts on a workshop in Venice, Italy organized by VSP Workshops.


Saturday’s Tip: Dead Center is Deadly. Position the subject off-center for a more creative photography. When you do that, when someone looks at your picture, their eyes will move around the picture looking for other elements in the scene – rather than getting stuck on the subject.

Canon 1Ds Mark III
Lens: Canon 24-105mm IS.

For more tips on people pictures, see my book, Face to Face.

Explore the light - and people photography,
Rick

People Photography Week – Friday

This week will be devoted to people photography – by popular request on twitter. Wildlife photography was the second choice. Over at DPE, my friend Juan Pons is offering a week of wildlife photography tips. So you get the best of both worlds!

I took all the photographs for this week’s blog posts on a workshop in Venice, Italy organized by VSP Workshops.

Friday’s Tip: Be aware of the background. Always keep in mind that the background can make or break the photograph. Want it in focus? Use a wide-angle lens and a small aperture. Want it out of focus? Use a telephoto lens set at a wide aperture.

Also try to isolate the subject’s head – so background elements don’t distract the viewer’s attention from the most important part of the picture.

Canon 1Ds Mark III
Lens: Canon 24-105mm IS.

For more tips on people pictures, see my book, Face to Face.

Explore the light - and people photography,
Rick

People Photography Week – Thursday

This week will be devoted to people photography – by popular request on twitter. Wildlife photography was the second choice. Over at DPE, my friend Juan Pons is offering a week of wildlife photography tips. So you get the best of both worlds!

I took all the photographs for this week’s blog posts on a workshop in Venice, Italy organized by VSP Workshops.

Thursday’s Tip: Shoot with your shutter speed in mind. Blur or freeze the subject with the correct shutter speed. The choice is yours.

For the previous photographs in this week's posts, I used a fast shutter speed or a flash to freeze the action. For this photograph, I used a shutter speed of 1/15th of a second to blur the action.

Canon 1Ds Mark III
Lens: Canon 24-105mm IS.

For more tips on people pictures, see my book, Face to Face.

Explore the light - and people photography,
Rick

People Photography Week – Wednesday

This week will be devoted to people photography – by popular request on twitter. Wildlife photography was the second choice. Over at DPE, my friend Juan Pons is offering a week of wildlife photography tips. So you get the best of both worlds!

I took all the photographs for this week’s blog posts on a workshop in Venice, Italy organized by VSP Workshops.

Wednesday’s Tip: Look for body language. Body language greatly affects how the subject comes across in a photograph. Pay extra attention to the subject’s hands.

In making this picture, I asked the subjects to move their hands up from their sides and into the picture – and I asked them to hold each other. I also directed them to move their heads closer together.

Canon 1Ds Mark III
Lens: Canon 24-105mm IS.

For more tips on people pictures, see my book, Face to Face.

Explore the light - and people photography,
Rick

Capturing that Magic Widlife Moment

Over at DPE, my friend Juan Pons is offering a week of wildlife photography tips. Check it out.

I really like Juan's shot (top) from yesterday's post. It captures the peak of action and dramatic action – something that we often strive for in wildlife photography.

I follow the same advice Juan shares in his post. Nice job, Juan.

If you have a similar photo, post it to the DPE flickr group.

Explore the light,
Rick

People Photography Week – Tuesday

This week will be devoted to people photography – by popular request on twitter. Wildlife photography was the second choice. Over at DPE, my friend Juan Pons is offering a week of wildlife photography tips. So you get the best of both worlds!

I took all the photographs for this week’s blog posts on a workshop in Venice, Italy organized by VSP Workshops.

Tuesday’s Tip: Think daylight fill-in flash.

I could tell you how to do it here, but you’ll find an in-depth article here.

Canon 1Ds Mark III.
Lens: Canon 24-105mm IS.

For more tips on people pictures, see my book, Face to Face.

Explore the light - and people photography,
Rick

People Photography Week – Monday

This week will be devoted to people photography – by popular request on twitter. Wildlife photography was the second choice. Over at DPE, my friend Juan Pons is offering a week of wildlife photography tips. So you get the best of both worlds!

I took all the photographs for this week’s blog posts on a workshop in Venice, Italy organized by VSP Workshops.

Monday’s Tip: Create a sense of depth. Use the different elements in a scene to add a sense of depth and dimension in your photographs.

Want maximum depth-of-field? Use a wide-angle lens, set a small aperture (f/11 or f/16) and focus 1/3 into the scene.

Canon 1Ds Mark III
Lens: Canon 24-105mm IS.

For more tips on people pictures, see my book, Face to Face.

Explore the light - and people photography,
Rick

People Photography Week – Sunday

This week will be devoted to people photography – by popular request on twitter. Wildlife photography was the second choice. Over at DPE, my friend Juan Pons is offering a week of wildlife photography tips. So you get the best of both worlds!

I took all the photographs for this week’s blog posts on a workshop in Venice, Italy organized by VSP Workshops.

Sunday’s Tip: Make the picture – don’t just take the picture.

Take the time to expertly position a subject or subjects in a scene. Remember, when you are behind the camera, you are the director of the shoot.

It took me about 10 minutes to set up this shot, asking the subject to hold the mirror in exactly the right position so that her face was perfectly reflected in the mirror.

I positioned the subject in the shade and shot close to the subject, keeping in mind this tip: The closer you are to a subject, the more intimate your picture becomes.

Canon 1Ds Mark III
Lens: Canon 24-105mm IS.

For more tips on people pictures, see my book, Face to Face.

Explore the light - and people photography,
Rick

Something to Think About This Sunday

Happens to everybody.

Horses, dogs, men.

Nobody gets out of life alive.

Irvin Ravetch

Look To This Day

Click image to enlarge.

My good friend John Isaac sent me these nice words today.

Thank you John.

Your friend,
Rick

HDR: Realistic or Artistic? The Choice is Yours.

Images © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

Above is an artistic HDR image - created with Photomatix plus Topaz Adjust (Spicify effect). I added the frame using onOne Software's PhotoFrame Professional.

Below is a realistic HDR image - created using Photomatix only.

Both pictures were taken in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Photomatix is a true HDR program. Topaz Adjust can expand the dynamic range of an image, but it's not a true HDR program. So for true HDR images, you need Photomatix - or another HDR program.

Four quick tips on HDR:

1) Be aware of noise. Try to shoot at the lowest possible ISO setting for the cleanest possible picture.

2) Watch for chromatic aberrations - before you start processing your pictures. If your individual files have chromatic aberrations, try to reduce or even remove them in Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture before you create your HDR image. In Photomatix, there is a feature for reducing chromatic aberration, but it's not called Eliminate Chromatic Aberrations for a reason :-)

3) Be aware of movement. It can be good, when it comes to clouds and moving water. It can be bad, when it comes to photographing people. Notice I said "could be bad," because it could be good if you want to great "ghost" images in a scene.

4) Consider the subject when consider a realist or artistic HDR image.

For more HDR info, check out my new book: HDR Photography Secrets.

For more info (and select discounts) on HDR images and plug-ins, see the Plug-in Experience.

Explore the light - and HDR,
Rick

As Promised, 7D Give Aways!

As promised on twitter, and in good fun, I am giving away 7Ds - the best dried mangoes on the planet, in my humble opinion.

The first five (5) folks who post a response to this post, with their real name and US shipping address, will receive a pack of these great mangoes! (Sorry about the US shipping address only.)

Okay, I know you might have been expecting another kind of 7D. But as I originally said, this was all is good fun. Right?

For playing along, and for being a good sport, you might be able to take advantage of a special offer from Nations Photo Lab. New customers get $50 off their first order by entering this code upon checkout: Rick2. Offer good until June 1, 2010.

Explore the light - and enjoy the mangoes!
Rick

HDR Secrets/Post Script Processing Info - Don't Peek

In my new HDR book, HDR Photography Secrets, you'll find a Post Script: Learn by Questioning. In that section, I suggest that readers examine each picture in that section and to guess how each image was made – rather than giving the processing info for each image, as I do throughout the book. It's actually a cool way to learn, because it makes you think about the image-making process.

However, I thought it only fair to give the info for each image in that section – as I state in the book. See below:

Page 160 to 165 – Photomatix plus Topaz Adjust, Spificy effect
Page 166 – Pseudo HDR with Photomatix
Pages 167 to 169 – Photomatiz only
Pages 170 to 177 – Photomatix plus Topaz Adjust, Spicify effect

Throughout the book you will find very detailed information, with screen grabs (see below), on how I made an image - and my suggestions for making your own knock-out HDR images.

My top tip for working in Photomatix: start with the White Point and Black Point sliders. Make sure the highlights are not washed out and the shadows are not blocked up. If they are, you defeat the entire purpose of HDR.

For a discount on Photomatix, as well as some of the Plug-ins I use in the book, see The Plug-In Experience.

Explore the light,
Rick

My HDR Book Hit Amazon.com Today!

Hey! My HDR book just hit amazon.com today!

Tons of good/bad and before/after examples. Lots of tech talk - with screen grabs.

I cover Photomatix, Topaz Adjust, Photoshop and some Plug-ins. I discuss color and black-and-white. Gear, too.

You'll learn how to take realistic as well as artistic HDR images. You'll also learn how to create HDR images from a series of pictures, as well as a single image.

Step by step by step by step examples!

Explore the light - and explore HDR imaging,
Rick

Parish Kohanim - Introspection

Images © Parish Kohanim. All rights reserved.

I meet and know many photographers. One of my favorites is Atlanta-based fine-art photographer Parish Kohanim. His work inspires me - as does his philosophy on life.

While visiting Parish last week, I noticed these images on a wall in his studio/gallery. Here is what Parish told me about the images.

"The images are from a series I call 'Introspection.'

Introspection definition: self reflection, meditation, self observation, soul searching, being quiet with oneself.

"These series point out the great luxury of simply turning off the voice/s in our heads, clearing the clutter that our modern world is continuously creating in our heads, and by putting a halt to our incessant and non-essential thinking , worrying, projecting, judging and so on.

"And finally, by simply connecting to our divine being within and charging our spiritual batteries."

Something to think about, for sure.

Thank you, Parish, for sharing.

Explore the light,
Rick

People and Widlife Photo Tips All Next Week

All next week: Every day a new people photography tip and a new wildlife photography tip!

You'll find the people photography tips here on my blog.

You'll find the wildlife tips, by my friend Juan Pons, over at the Digital Photo Experience.

Explore the light - and our tips!
Rick

24/7 Photo Buffet App Give Away... While Supplies Last

To celebrate another milestone (being in the top ten a category), for our 24/7 Photo Buffet app, Dr. Dave Wilson and I are giving away 10 codes for the app! (Only good in the US - sorry).

Grab a code while you can and enjoy our app!

Here are the codes:

E39E4JA6YKT6
7A4K3T4339NA
AHL6YHRJRFHX
XFRJF9AKK9H4
3ELM34PE9HKW
T7JLJ6L49NYH
9X4T7XRWLEAP
TMP93M4JWH4F
NX47NJAH3PRJ
P49TA9X93946

For more info on the app, click here.

Explore the light,Rick

A Fine Visit with Fine-Art Photographer Parish Kohanim

After today's talk for Showcase in Atlanta, GA, my fellow Canon Explorer of Light Eddie Tapp and I, along with photographer Judy Host, stopped by photographer/Canon Explore of Light Parish Kohanim's (dress shirt) studio. Parish gave us a tour of his wonderful studio - and made us some tasty treats. He is also a gourmet chef.

If you want some inspiration, spend some time on Parish's site.

For perhaps more traditional photography, join Eddie, Judy and your truly in Maui later year for the Maui Photo Festival.

Explore the light - and your creative ideas,
Rick

Light Reveals - Shadows Define

When I give a photography presentation, I always mention one of my favorite photography quotes/messages: Light illuminates, shadows define.

Think about it. Check out the photograph on the left. Without the shadows, this scene would have little definition.

Moving on....

Today, I received a very nice email about my dad's passing last week from Buzz Cherry in Seattle, WA. Buzz thanked me for giving a presentation in Seattle shortly after I learned of my dad's quick passing. (My dad always said the show must go on, so I gave the presentation for him.)

Anyway, Buzz wrote:
Perhaps your quote applies beyond photography:
Light - reveals
Shadows - define

Think about it.....

Explore the light - and the shadows. And.... shine in the shadows.
Rick

Think Social Media. Think Internationally!

Today, social media is media. With social media, you have potential customers around the planet. How cool is that?

If you are thinking of producing a book, DVD, iPhone/iTouch app or an iPad app, or a PDF e-book, think of the international market while you are developing your product. The market is huge!

Use Google Analytics to track stats. If you have an app, use AppVis. I check it every day :-)

For more social media tips, scroll down on this blog.

Explore the light - and the international market,
Rick

Rare Shot of an Owl Hunting on a Moonlit Night

Here is a rare shot of an owl hunting on a moonlit night with its prey. Not!

It's actually a daytime shot that I enhanced using the Midnight filter in Nik Software's Color Efex Pro Plug-in. Try it, you'll like it.

Well, I guess you could actually say that it's a rare shot, because no one else has this image - and because there are several controls in Color Efex Pro that let you create a one-of-a-kind image.

For a discount on Color Efex Pro, and other plug-ins, click here.

Explore the light - at different times of the day.
Rick

Emphasize An Important Element In A Photograph

On the left is a screen grab of the Rembrandt painting, "The Man With the Golden Helmet." On the right is a portrait of my dad.

My friend, Steve Inglima, pointed out a similarity (of sorts): Yes, the faces are important, but other elements – the helmet and the hands – are strong and obviously important elements in the painting/photograph.

Rembrandt wanted the viewer to notice the exquisite detail in the helmet - truly a work of art.

I want viewers of my photography to notice my dad's hands - which were at one time very strong and powerful - weak and frail at the time I took the picture. I remember many times when he leaned over my shoulder to help me with my homework – at the desk at which I am sitting in the picture below. (Yes, that's me! My dad took the picture with a 4x5-inch Linhof camera.)

When composing a portrait, consider elements in the scene – other than the face – that can help you to tell a story. You might be surprised at how many different stories you can tell in a single sitting.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. If you like photo philosophies like this, as well as tech info on photographing people, check out my book, Face to Face.

We Are A Part of Everyone We Meet

Three years ago, late one December afternoon, my dad and I were sitting in his study. We were having a nice talk – and a nice time. I looked at him and thought: He looks so happy. The light is just right. I should take a picture - because it might be the last good picture I ever take of him. He was fading.

I thought about taking the picture for about 10 minutes, holding back some tears – thinking about what it would be like not to have him around, after having him around for 88 years - as my dad, and later on in life as the first-pass editor for most of my books. (He was a great editor.)

I finally asked him if I could take a shot. He said sure, with a smile and nod. He knew what I was thinking. I asked him to look out the window, and I took a single shot.

My dad, 91, died suddenly and peacefully and quickly on April 3, 2010. A few hours before, on the other side of the country, I had a dream about him: He had pushed his walker aside and was standing up straight. I had not dreamed about him for at least 20 years. Hummm....

Sure, I am very sad. I get waves of tears. I will miss him more than he probably ever realized. He was my dad, a very big part of my life – in fact, half the reason for my life. :-)

Those of you who know me know I enjoy quotes. Here is my favorite: "We are a part of everyone we meet." Want proof? My dad, Robert M. Sammon, Sr., was a photographer, getting me started, along with my mother, in photography with his cameras and basement darkroom. But more important, he was a good dad - which I try to be. Everyday. I am very glad we met.

You might want to keep that quote in mind when you meet people. I sure do. You may have more of an impact on someone than you realize.

Rick

Proud son of Robert M. Sammon, Sr.

Social Media Marketing Week - Day 5

I am giving my Social Media Marketing talk at the Palm Springs Photo Festival this week. Good fun, and of course, good info if you want to grow your business.

This week's posts will focus on Social Media Marketing. I'll post a slide or two from my show along with a tip or two.

I had a ton of fun putting together this slide show. It features my favorite photographs paired with my favorite social media tips.

Today's advice: Rope people in using twitter, facebook and YouTube - using good content. Content is king! Also, good content will get folks to stampede to your site.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. At the festival, I will also be interviewing the pros for the podcast I do with Juan Pons over at the Digital Photo Experience.

Social Media Marketing Week - Day 4

I am giving my Social Media Marketing talk at the Palm Springs Photo Festival this week. Good fun, and of course, good info if you want to grow your business.

This week's posts will focus on Social Media Marketing. I'll post a slide or two from my show along with a tip or two.

I had a ton of fun putting together this slide show. It features my favorite photographs paired with my favorite social media tips.

Today's advice: Target your audience. If you don't, you are mistaking motion for action.

Also, use Quitter and Twitter Grader to keep track of how you are doing!

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. At the festival, I will also be interviewing the pros for the podcast I do with Juan Pons over at the Digital Photo Experience.

Canon Explorers of Light at Palm Springs Photo Festival

Hey All

From left to right: John Paul, Chris, yours truly and Vincent - all Canon Explorers of Light taking a break after teaching at the Palm Springs Photo Festival.

An honor to be teaching with these dudes . . . even though I am the oldest dude!!!

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. Canon's Barbara Ellison (who is also a wonderful fine-art photographer/printer) took this fun shot!