A Week Of Landscape Photography Tips at DPE

All this week:landscape photo tips over at the Digital Photo Experience. I'll be sharing some new images from my Southwest Caravan - and hopefully some images from the workshop participants.

Hope to see you there - and on the DPE 2011 Southwest Caravan. It's filling up fast!

Explore the light,

Rick

HDR: Realistic or Artistic? The Choice is Yours.

Hey, I know I have written about realistic vs. artistic HDR images here before. However, because this is a hot topic in the world of HDR, I thought I'd touch upon it once again.

Personally, I think the subject has a lot to do with your choice of realistic or artistic HDR. In this post, I am sharing only realistic HDR images, that is, images that look real without the "over cooked" effect - that some love and some hate.

These images originally appeared in my new book, HDR Photography Secrets, which, by the way, has an artistic HDR image on the cover. (Actually, I did a poll here on the cover image before the book was published and folks liked the artistic image over the realistic.)

In the book I go a step further: I talk about when HDR is not a good idea. One example I give is a sunrise scene.

Sure, I like the artist HDR look, the kind of effect you get with Topaz Adjust. But for these scenes, I thought the realist effect worked best.

Here's an idea: After you create a realistic HDR image, convert it to a B&W image using Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro. Use this code upon checkout to get a 15% discount: RSAMMON.

Remember: When you remove some of the color from the scene, you remove some of the reality. When you remove some of the reality, your picture can become more artistic.

In my HDR book I talk about the enemies of HDR, one potentially being subject movement. However, subject movement can be a good thing when it comes to moving water (and clouds)! In fact, the move movement (the slower the shutter speed) the better. Here I used a shutter speed of several seconds to blur the water.

Here are a few tips for creating HDR images in Photomatix, the program I use:

- Do all of your work in Tone Compressor, not Detail Enhancer (which is great for creating artistic-looking images);

- If you do go to Detail Enhance, adjust the White Point and Black Point sliders first - making sure your highlights are not washed out and your shadows are not blocked up. In general, don't move the sliders too far to the right.

- If you see any chromatic aberrations, go back to your originals and remove them in Photoshop, Aperture or Lightroom.

You can get a 15% discount on Photomatix if you use this code upon check out: ricksammon.

Speaking of books, my friend Trey Ratcliff has a wonderful HDR book - A World in HDR. Check it out.

Okay, I am outta here - going to the Southwest tomorrow to shoot some HDR images - realistic, of course!

Explore the light,
Rick

Today's e-mail scam: friend asking for money via Western Union

Today, I received the following email from one of the sweetest and nicest workshop students I have ever encountered. The thing is, it was not from her.

Here goes:

I'm writing this with tears in my eyes, I'm sorry for this odd request because it might get to you too urgent but it's because of the situation of things right now, I'm stuck in London United Kingdom right now, i came down here on vacation, i was robbed, worse of it was that bags, cash, cards and my cell phone were stolen off me at GUN POINT, so i only have access to my emails, it was such a crazy and brutal experience for me and i was hurt on my right hand, but i'm glad i still have my life.

I need help flying back home, the authorities are not being 100% supportive, i have been to the embassy and the Police here in London, but they're not helping issues at all, but the good thing is that i still have my passport but don't have enough money to sort the bills and get my flight ticket back home, please i need you to loan me some money, i promise to refund it as soon as I'm back home, you can get it to me through western union.

• • •

She followed up that email up with this after I contacted "her":

Rick,

Thanks for your quick response I really appreciate it, what i need you to do for me is to loan me $1,550 and i will refund it as soon as i get back home, you can get it to me via western union Money transfer, kindly walk up to any nearby store that operates on western union to send the money. Check www.westernunion.com for a local WU outlet that is close to you and use my below details to complete the transfer.

Receiver's Name: XXXXXXXX (I deleted it for my friend's privacy)
Location: London, United Kingdom.

So i will be waiting for you to get back to me ASAP with the western union transfer details, as soon as you have it done, you will need to get back to me with the western union MTCN number and other transfer details and total amount sent to enable me pick up the money. As soon as i get back home, i will pay everything back including the transfer charges.
Thanks.

• • •

My first reaction was to help her. She is around 76 and this could have happened to her. Easily. She travels a lot. She is not in the greatest shape.

After talking with some friends who know her, we realized that it was identity theft.

So beware of emails from your "friends" asking for money! Also check the address after the name. In this case, it was not my friend's address.

After her name in the From window was this fake email address: toelta@yahoo.com

Be careful,
Rick

Apps Update: Social Media App Now Availble for the iPad

My Social Media Marketing for Photographers app is now available for the iPad!

Before reading on, keep in mind that this app is a starter course, and not a college-level course, on Social Media. Basically, I share what have learned about the importance of Social Media.

Read about the app here.

Here is the link for the iPad version.

Here is the link for the iPhone version.

To celebrate the app, Juan Pons (the developer) and I are giving away five redeem codes. Please read this first about redeem codes. This is Apple's process.

Here are the free codes: I hope you were able to grab one!

XH9TM9EW7TMT
N49LWAR66YY4
Y9HAHAK4P7TF
L4A4N9NAJ469
TN9PXEKHRPW3

My 24/7 Photo Buffet app, developed by Dr. Dave Wilson, is available for the iPhone. It will be available soon for the iPad. Stay tuned.

Hey, I am interested. How many of you guys have iPads?

Explore the Light,
Rick

Book Expo America: Up-Close-And Personal With Dr. Ruth

Photographs (both) by Barry Pruett

I just returned from BEA at the Javits Center in NYC. While signing copies (100) of my Wiley book, Confessions of a Compact Camera Shooter, I told some folks: "Sometimes writing a book is not fun, but autographing a book is always fun!"

Thanks to my friends at Wiley for having me at the show.

After the book signing, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Ruth – who is just as much fun in person as she is on TV. Who does not love Dr. Ruth?

Hey, I did not get shorter. I am sitting down in this picture, and Dr. Ruth is standing up!

Explore the light,
Rick

Landscapes Posts Next Week on DPE

Dead Horse Point State Park, UT.
Photograph © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

Next week I'll be posting pictures/tips as often as possible from my Southwest Caravan Workshop over at the Digital Photo Experience.

Our team of 12 will be shooting in and around Arches, Bryce and Zion - straights shots and HDR. If you happen to be there and spot us, please stop by and say hi!

We have all our permits* – which are necessary these days – from the Park Services. If you plan to run a workshop in a National Park, my advice is to get the permit. If you plan to join a workshop, ask the instructor if he/she has a permit.

Explore the light - and see you over at DPE!
Rick

* To get a permit, you need insurance. Plus, someone in your group needs to know CPR.

Before There Was Photoshop . . .

There is probably not a photographer out there who has not heard about or has used Photoshop - or another digital imaging program.

Indeed, it is amazing what can be done – and what magic can be created – in the digital darkroom.

Sure, there are a ton of creative and fun effects in Photoshop. For example, you can hand-color a black-and-file, add a vignette to an image, and desaturate an image for an "old photo" look. You can add type – in any font, size and color – to an image, and place it wherever you like in the image.

The above example illustrates all of these techniques, but it's not an image that was enhanced in Photoshop. My mother, in 1943, hand-colored the black-and-white print of my dad in Central Park. She and my dad developed the negative in their wet darkroom. My mother also added the vignette and the text. And . . . the print survived!

Image makers today still use these creative techniques, which I think is kinda cool.

I found the picture while going through my Dad's stuff today. He passed away in April of this year - as readers of my blog know. (Thank you for all your notes and cards. Means a lot.)

Here is the original print.
The next time you are working and playing in Photoshop, keep in mind that some of the totally cool effects are not totally new.

Explore the light,
Rick

Here is another thought: Save your family photos and keep them in a safe place . . . for future generations.

It's good to have a link to the past.

Here's a picture of my parents taken during WWII. Now that's a cool dress!

HD SLR Video: Getting Started with a Basic Setup

In talking with my friend and HD SLR innovator, Vincent LaForet, he offered some good advice for those just getting into HD SLR video: Keep it Simple.

Well, I am just getting into HD SLR video, and I took his advice.

Here is my simple (starter) setup for images and sound - and why I use this stuff:

Rode VideoMic - Camera Mounted Shotgun Microphone. The sound quality is very good and I only have one thing to worry about (as opposed to a transmitter/receiver lapel mic set up). Also, the mic plugs directly into the camera (or an accessory recorder). Because it's not wireless, there is no chance for interference, which I have experienced even with a very good transmitter/receiver mic setup - even when I turn off my iPhone. :-)

If you use an on-camera mic, be sure to turn off the IS and AF features on your camera. Those tiny sounds will be picked up big time.

Want more professional sound? Check out the Zoom recorder. That's the recorder I use for my DPE on-site interviews.

Induro CT 214 Tripod. Steady as a rock and supports the longest lens I use for video: 70-200mm f/4.

If you plan to use longer lenses or other accessories, you probably want a heavier tripod.

Manfrotto 501HDV Fluid Video Head - Supports up to 13.2 lbs (6kg). Lets me move the camera in any directly smoothly and easily. As a bonus, the handle makes me feel like a pro. :-)

A fluid head is an essential accessory for steady shooting.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera Kit with Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM AF Lens. I like to travel light. This lens is very versatile for people and scenic shots. What's more, at the wide settings, I can hand-hold the setup.

Another favorite lens of mine is the 17-40mm. I shoot more wide-angle stuff than tele stuff.

Lexar 32GB Professional UDMA 600x CompactFlash Card. Reliable and plenty of space for shooting several segments.

Don't leave home without plenty of memory cards (and batteries).

For more HD SLR video/sound information, check out the Digital Photo Experience. Juan Pons posts some good stuff there, as does Art Howard. We also have a interview with Vincent on the site!

Explore the light,
Rick

Get a Free Gourmet Meal In Your Neighborhood

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 50mm Macro Lens, Canon MR-14 EX Ringlite.

I am the first to admit it: I am not a professional food photographer, as any food photographer reading this post will quickly realize. :-)

However, I can take a good enough food photo for a local restaurant's web site and menu.

That's what I did this afternoon. I took a few food photos at the local Japanese restaurant, Samurai, here in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Best of all, the meal was free: I traded the owner my photographs for 10 great - and beautiful – dishes!

Previously, the owner, knowing that I'm a photographer, asked about the trade off. I said, "Sure!" I was on my way to a great sushi meal, and he was on his way to some fresh photos.

So here's the message of this short homily: Why not ask the local restaurants in your area if you can do a trade-off: your photos for their best dishes? It never hurts to ask , you know.


Here are a few quick tips for very basic food photography:

• You'll need a macro lens for close-up shots. However, bring your wide-angle lens for wider shots.

• Carefully watch your aperture. Although pro food photographers often like to use shallow depth-of-field, the restaurant owner may like a more traditional shot, with everything in focus.

• A ring light is helpful for even lighting.

• Try to work with natural light; bring a reflector to fill in shadows, which is what I did for this photograph.

• Bring a tripod for low-light, natural light photographs.

• Shoot each dish from different angles: from the side, top, etc.

• Use digital darkroom techniques (such as vignetting and selective sharpening) to enhance your pictures.

• Be sure to ask the owner if he/she is happy with your pictures before you leave the restaurant.

• When you are all done, post your pictures on your blog in the hope of other local restaurants finding you. Note the labels for this post :-)

Hey, let me know if you plan to try this idea. And, let me know how your shoot (and food) turns out.


Explore the light – and sushi.
Rick


P.S. Sake (hot and cold) was included, in case you were wondering. :-)

Thank You!

Just a quick "thank you" to all those who purchased my new HDR book, HDR Photography Secrets, on amazon.com. The book hit #1 in the How-to category today!

I am happy to be associated with all the other pros in the top 5 - and the top 10!

Hey, the ranking changes from hour to hour, so I was glad to be there at least for a while.

Stay tuned for a cool HDR project in June on DPE.

If you want to learn HDR, I hope you can join one of my workshops. We have a ton of HDR fun!

Thank you again,
Rick

P.S. Ahhhhhh! The book was published before Photoshop CS5, which features a new and improved HDR feature!

Black-and-White HDR Rocks!

High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is becoming more and more popular – and easier than ever with programs like Photomatix, and now with the new (and greatly improved) HDR Pro in Adobe Photoshop CS5.

Even though these programs are powerful and offer almost endless creative options, you will find that exploring additional black-and-white options open up additional creative possibilities. I say "additional" because you can desaturate an HDR image to create a black-and-white image.

One reason for the added creative options in black-and-white imaging: When you remove the color from a scene, you remove some of the reality. When you remove some of the reality, your picture can look more artistic and creative.

Here are two examples of black-and-white HDR images. Both images were original created in Photomatix from color files. To create the black-and-white effect, I used Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro plug-in.

As an aside, Ansel Adams was a master of HDR imaging. He created high dynamic range images in the wet darkroom by burning/dodging, using different filters/papers/chemicals, and by vary exposure times. Kinda interesting when you think about how long HDR has been available – to pros like Mr. Adams.

Back to Silver Efex Pro. You'll find several cool Presets, which suggest starting points for your images. One is Antique Plate, illustrated below. After selecting a Preset, you have many other creative options, including which color digital filter to apply to an image, shadow/highlight control, brightness, contrast, and of course, control points.


You can get a 15% discount on Nik Software products here.

If you have CS5 (or CS4), other options for creating black-and-white images are available in ACR (under the HSL tab) and as a Black-and-White adjustment (use an Adjustment Layer).

Have fun creating your black-and-white HDR images.

Explore the light,
Rick

When HDR is a Good Thing – and When It Isn't – For Landscape Photogrpahy

I think HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography is one of the coolest developments in photography in recent years. I shoot HDR almost everywhere I go. However, there is a time and place for HDR imaging.

When HDR is Not a Good Thing

In the top example (Monument Valley, AZ), the image on the left is the HDR image. Sure, the dynamic range of the scene is captured, but the image lacks drama.

The pictures on the right are my available light shots of the same scene. The top right shot is a natural light shot. The bottom right shot shows the tree in the foreground illuminated by the headlights from our guide's jeep. I much prefer these photographs over the HDR image.

When HDR is a Good Thing

Here is an HDR image (Slot Canyons, AZ) that I like. Without HDR, I would not have been able to capture the dynamic range of the scene. Here, HDR was ideal. To capture the entire dynamic range of the scene, I had to take four exposures: at, over and under the recommended setting. See images below.

The next time you are out shooting, think about the end-result, and whether HDR is a good or a bad thing.

For detailed how-to information on HDR, illustrated with both good and bad examples, see my new HDR book, HDR Secrets.

Explore the Light,
Rick

New E-Book Project – A work in progress

Fear an ignorant man more than a lion. – Turkish Proverb

Always try to anticipate the action. To capture fast moving action, set your camera on rapid frame advance and focus tracking. To freeze the action, use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500th of a second.

Lions Mating, Botswana
Canon 1D Mark II
Shutter Priority Mode
Canon 100-400mm IS lens @ 400mm
ISO 800
1/250th sec. @ f/8

• • •

I am working on a new e-book project - and could use your help.

It's an inspirational e-book that includes (per page):
• Photograph;
• Inspirational quote that matches the photograph;
• Subject name;
• Camera/exposure information.

What you see here is a sample page. The idea is to offer some inspiration/motivation and a very quick photography tip – info that you can have on your iPhone or iPad.

Basically, it's a feel-good e-book that helps you with your photography.

Whatta ya think of the idea? Please let me know here. Any ideas? For example, would you like to see a Photoshop tip, such as (in this case):

In Photoshop: Sharpen selectively. Here, sharpening only the lions made them stand out more in the scene. Sharpening the soft background would have detracted from the subjects and increased the noise.

Explore the light,
Rick

Fun Shots From Nik's Fun Event

By now, I am sure that you have heard about the Nik Summit in San Diego last weekend. A ton of fun. To keep the fun going, I thought I'd post some fun shot with short captions. Here ya go.

Finally! A group of workshop photographers following my instructions.

The reason why the camera strap was invented.

Thanks Tony for working us so hard. We felt like this panda at the end of the day!

I love (and hug) my lenses!

Nik's Silver Efex rocks.

Explore the light,
Rick

Try Topaz Adjust Times Two - Twice the Fun!

When you are working and playing with Topaz Adjust, try this: apply the Spicify effect to the foreground, and the Simplify effect to the sky. The result: detail in the foreground and a soft and pleasing sky.

Topaz Adjust turned my dull photo of the "Bird's Nest" in Beijing into a sci-fi type photo that pops with color and detail.

The spot in the top right of the frame is not a dust spot. It's the sun trying to poke through the pollution!

Explore the light,
Rick

Always Envision the End Result

Images © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

When you are composing a picture, always try to envision the end result - the image that you will create in the digital darkroom. Think about how you can control the color, contrast, sharpness and brightness of a scene. Also think about all-important cropping.

Here is a before-and-after example that illustrates this point. I took the original shot in Guizhou, China on my recent photography workshop.

Here are steps I took to create the opening image for this post:

• Opened the image in Adobe Camera Raw and made some basic enhancements.

• Changed the image to a pano in Photoshop by going to Image Size, unchecking Constrain Proportions, and then typing in a longer width.

• Converted the image to a B&W in Photoshop using the B&W adjustment.

• Used the Midnight filter in Nik Color Efex Pro.

• I did something else. Can you see?

Like the Midnight filter effect? You can get a discount on all Nik products (as well as some other plug-ins) by clicking here.

Explore the light - and explore your creativity,
Rick

P.S. All my workshops are listed here.

What Does Your Photography Mean To You?

Images Copyright Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

Left: Original image. Right: Midnight Filter in Nik Color Efex Pro.

The Nik Summit in San Diego wrapped up yesterday. After our last shoot (San Diego Zoo), I did something that I do on all my workshops: I ask the participants, "What does your photography mean to you?"

Photographer Bree Renz (Bree Productions) was kind enough to write down the responses, which are condensed below. In reading them, think about what your photography means to you. I know it means a lot. Feel free to share your thoughts here.

Way of Life

Passion

Giving

Liberation

Personal Evolution

Changes

Living Legacy

Be a Kid

Creativity

Freedom

Wonderment

Accessibility

New Dimension to My Life

Magic Carpet

Singing to My Soul

and....

Emotion

Explore the light - and explore your photography,

Rick

A Week of Storytelling: Day 7 – Take Behind-The-Scenes Shots

Photograph © Rick Sammon.

All rights reserved. Canon 5D Mark II. Canon 15mm lens.

It’s Day 7 of Storytelling Week here on my blog - the last day of this project. Each day, I shared a photography tip illustrated with one of my favorite photographs that I took this past April at the Sister’s Meal Festival in the province of Guizhou in southwest China.

The idea of this weeklong project: When you go to an event, on the other side of the world or the other side of town, try to “tell the whole story” with your pictures.

Today’s tip: Take behind-the-scenes shots.

This is not my favorite photograph from the Sister’s Meal Festival, but it sure does tell part of the story: If you go, you’ll have dozens of photographers trying to take the same shot, even if you have taken the time to set-up your own shot.

Take behind-the-scenes photographs. Not only will they help to bring back memories of the event, but they will help you share your entire experience with others.

Want more travel photo info? My current app, 24/7 Photo Buffet, offers dozens of photo tips for photographers on the go – even HDR photographers.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Shoot me an email if you are interested in joining my 2011 China workshops. I will have some guest pros leading some workshops, too. Email me: Rick Sammon at mac.com

Cool Black & Images with Nik's Silver Efex Pro

I'm at the Nik Summit in San Deigo, CA. Got me thinking about Nik's Silver Efex Pro - a very, very cool method for creating dynamic black-and-white images. Check it out if you like black-and-white imaging.

When playing with Silver Efex Pro, be sure to apply different color filters to your image. Each one makes a big difference in the end-result.

This picture was not taken at the Summit. I took it in Cuba in 2001. :-)

Explore the Light,

Rick

P.S. Here's a shot from today's shoot. I'm having a great time teaching here. Photo by Carol Maria Cobb.

A Week of Storytelling: Day 6 – Lose the Background

Photograph © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

Canon 5D Mark II. Canon 24-105mm lens.

It’s Day 6 of Storytelling Week here on my blog. Each day, I’ll share a photography tip illustrated with one of my favorite photographs that I took this past April at the Sister’s Meal Festival in the province of Guizhou southwest China.

The idea of this weeklong project: When you go to an event, on the other side of the world or the other side of town, try to “tell the whole story” with your pictures.

Today’s tip: Lose the background.

As illustrated in the first post in this series of posts on storytelling, events can be packed with people – subjects that can ruin a picture be creating a distracting background.

One way to lose a distracting background is to get down low and shot upward, as I did here.

When shooting upward, you may need a flash, especially if your background is the sky.

Another technique to blur the background is to use a telephoto lens set at a wide aperture.

Yet another technique is to blur the background. One method is to use Bokeh from Alien Skin. Check out this way-cool plug-in. Click here.

Want more travel photo info? My current app, 24/7 Photo Buffet, offers dozens of photo tips for photographers on the go – even HDR photographers.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Shoot me an email if you are interested in joining my 2011 China workshops. I will have some guest pros leading some workshops, too. Email me: Rick Sammon at mac.com

A Week of Storytelling: Day 5 – Shoot Set-up Portraits

Photograph © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.
Canon 5D Mark II. Canon 24-105mm lens.

It’s Day 5 of Storytelling Week here on my blog. Each day, I’ll share a photography tip illustrated with one of my favorite photographs that I took this past April at the Sister’s Meal Festival in the province of Guizhou in southwest China.

The idea of this weeklong project: When you go to an event, on the other side of the world or the other side of town, try to “tell the whole story” with your pictures.

Today’s tip: Shoot set-up portraits.

Sure, you want to take candid photographs, such as the picture in yesterday’s post. However, it’s also a good idea to take set-up portraits – for two reasons: one, you have more control over the subject, the light and the background; two, participants at the event usually want a nice portrait of themselves.

When shooting portraits, use a wide f-stop to blur or slightly blur the background, which makes the subject “stand out” in the photograph. Be sure to focus on the eyes. And, use a flash, a diffuser or a reflector (if needed) to illuminate the subject’s face. I never leave home without my flash and reflector/diffuser kit.

Want more travel photo info? My current app, 24/7 Photo Buffet, offers dozens of photo tips for photographers on the go – even HDR photographers.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Shoot me an email if you are interested in joining my 2011 China workshops. I will have some guest pros leading some workshops, too. Email me: Rick Sammon at mac.com

Perception and Imaging

One night in Beijing last month: Our workshop team is on the way to a restaurant (Chinese, of course) when I spot this ad out the window of the bus. Because we were on a workshop, I thought it would be fun to take a quick snapshot of the billboard - which appears to say Work Shop.

After the 87 course (seemed like it anyway) dinner, we went back to the hotel to check out the day's images. Upon closer examination of my snapshot, I realized the creativity that went into the ad - and the techniques (plural) that the art director used to draw attention to the ad.

Look closely. :-)

This is the kind of thing my friend, Dr. Richard Zakia, who taught at RIT, talks about in his wonderful book, Perception and Imaging. It's a must for all photographers. You will see the world differently after reading his book. You may shoot differently, too.

Explore the light,

Rick

A Week of Storytelling: Day 4 – Use Daylight Fill-in Flash

Photograph © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

Canon 5D Mark II. Canon 24-105mm lens.

It’s Day 4 of Storytelling Week here on my blog. Each day, I’ll share a photography tip illustrated with one of my favorite photographs that I took this past April at the Sister’s Meal Festival in the province of Guizhou in southwest China.

The idea of this weeklong project: When you go to an event, on the other side of the world or the other side of town, try to “tell the whole story” with your pictures.

Today’s tip: Use daylight fill-in flash.

When the subject’s face is shaded, either by a beautiful headdress or a banged-up football helmet, you’ll need to use a flash to illuminate the subject’s face. In some cases, you can get a good exposure if you turn on your flash and set your camera to one of the automatic modes: P, Av or Tv.

However, you will have more control if you set your camera to the manual mode and use an accessory flash, as I did here for this photograph of a Miao woman.

For precise flash control, you’ll need an accessory flash with variable flash output, which let’s you add more or less light (from your flash) than when set to the automatic mode.

Click here for an in-depth article I wrote on fill flash.

Want more travel photo info? My current app, 24/7 Photo Buffet, offers dozens of photo tips for photographers on the go – even HDR photographers.

Shoot me an email if you are interested in joining my 2011 China workshops. I will have some guest pros leading some workshops, too. Email me: Rick Sammon at mac.com

Explore the Light,
Rick

Behind the Scenes at the Sister's Meal Festival: Where's Rick?

I hope you have enjoyed my Storytelling posts this week. More to come.

One of my workshop participants, Kate Faust, just sent this behind-the-scenes picture of me photographing at the Sister's Meal Festival.

Can you find me? Hints: blue shirt, black hat and holding my camera/flash above the crowd to get a shot.

I am sharing this image with you so you can see just how challenging it was to get a clean shot.

Explore the light,
Rick

A Week of Storytelling: Day 3 – Get Up-Close-And-Personal With Your Subjects

Photograph © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

Canon 5D Mark II. Canon 24-105mm lens.

It’s Day 3 of Storytelling Week here on my blog. Each day, I’ll share a photography tip illustrated with one of my favorite photographs that I took this past April at the Sister’s Meal Festival in the province of Guizhou in southwest China.

The idea of this weeklong project: When you go to an event, on the other side of the world or on the other side of town, try to “tell the whole story” with your pictures.

Today’s tip: Get up-close-and-personal.

I guess I could have titled this post “Don’t be shy,” because you simply can’t be shy when photographing events. You need to get up-close and personal with your subjects to tell your story.

If possible, try to frame a subject with another subject, as I did here. See yesterday’s post for info on how to get everything in the scene in focus, as illustrated here.

When shooting close, it’s especially important to know your camera settings. You simply can’t waste time fussing around with buttons and dials to get a good exposure. You need to shoot and scoot.

Want more travel photo info? My current app, 24/7 Photo Buffet, offers dozens of photo tips for photographers on the go – even HDR photographers.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Shoot me an email if you are interested in joining my 2011 China workshops. I will have some guest pros leading some workshops, too. Email me: Rick Sammon at mac.com

A Week of Storytelling: Day 2 – Make the Background a Part of Your Picture

Photograph © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.
Canon 5D Mark II. Canon 24-105mm lens.

It’s Day 2 of Storytelling Week here on my blog. Each day, I’ll share a photography tip illustrated with one of my favorite photographs that I took this past April at the Sister’s Meal Festival in the province of Guizhou in southwest China.

The idea of this weeklong project: When you go to an event, on the other side of the world or on the other side of town, try to “tell the whole story” with your pictures.

Today’s tip: Make the background a part of your picture.

Those of you who have been on my workshops and who have attended my seminars know one of my favorite expressions: The name of the game is to fill the frame.

Filling the frame does not always mean that you need to fill the frame with the main subject.

In this picture, the woman working on a silver ornament is the main subject. I have a full-frame shot of her, but I prefer this that shows her co-workers in the background because it tells more of a story.

To get everything in the scene like this in focus, use a wide-angle lens, small aperture, and focus 1/3 into the scene.

Want more travel photo info? My current app, 24/7 Photo Buffet, offers a wealth of photo tips for photographers on the go – even HDR photographers.

Rick

P.S. Shoot me an email if you are interested in joining my 2011 China workshops. I will have some guest pros leading some workshops, too. Email me: Rick Sammon at mac.com

A Week of Storytelling: Day 1 – Shoot Wide

Photograph © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

Canon 5D Mark II. Canon 15mm lens.

It’s Day 1 of Storytelling Week here on my blog. Each day, I’ll share a photography tip illustrated with one of my favorite photographs that I took this past April at the Sister’s Meal Festival in the province of Ghizhou in southwest China.

The idea of this week long project: When you go to an event, on the other side of the world or on the other side of town, try to “tell the whole story” with your pictures.

Today’s tip: Capture the wide view.

You need at least one wide-angle shot to tell the story of an event. Here I used my 15mm full-frame fish-eye lens to capture an extremely wide view of the festival. When using a fish-eye lens, run your eyes around the edges of your frame to check your composition. You don’t want your shoes in the picture – in most cases.

When composing your picture, include a foreground element in the scene to add a sense of depth to your image. Use a small f-stop to get the entire scene in focus.

Watch the background, which can make or break the scene. Here, I composed the picture carefully so that the hill in the background filled the top of the frame.

For this shot, I held the camera above my head and tilted it downward. When using this technique, the Live View feature really helps with composition.

Want more travel photo info? My current app, 24/7 Photo Buffet, offers dozens of photo tips for photographers on the go – even HDR photographers.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Shoot me an email if you are interested in joining my 2011 China workshops. I will have some guest pros leading some workshops, too. Email me: Rick Sammon at mac.com