Chasing the Light with Light in Alaska

I'm in Alaska co-leading a photo workshop with my friend Hal "Bull" Schmitt, the director of Light Photographic Workshops, a.k.a. Light.

The workshop starts tomorrow. I'll post when I can, but I'll be on a boat in a remote area for a week, so you may not hear from me for a bit.

The light is beautiful here. I took this shot on a previous Alaska adventure.

Here's a quick tip: Use a telephoto lens for landscape photography to compress the elements in a scene. This technique works well when you want the "layered" look.

Stay tuned.

Explore the light,

Rick

Light Illuminates, Shadows Define

Light illuminates, shadows define. That's one of my favorite photo expressions.

Here's another one: Shadows can be your friend.

And another one (mine): Take the darn flash off the camera.

Today, I thought I'd play around with shadows using a cool, new accessory, the Rogue 3-in-1 Honeycomb Grid from ExpoImaging.

This cool accessory, designed for any Speedlite, gives you control over the spread of the light from the flash.Three different grid angles are available: 25°, 45°, and when the grids are stacked together, 16°.

The Rogue Grid attached to a flash with Velcro®. The grids are inserted into the collar, and as I mentioned, can be stacked.

I took the opening shot for this post with my Canon 580EX II positioned off-camera on a stand. I fired it using my Canon ST-E2 wireless transmitter.


I used Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro to create the sepia effect and to add the border. For info on Nik Software, and to get a discount, click here.

Yes, you can create a circular lighting effect with the Rogue Grid. I'm going to try that next. Right now, I'm taking a nap . . . I'm still recovering from jet lag. Just back from Amsterdam, off to Alaska tomorrow.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Try making a picture in which the shadow is a main part of the image.

We Only Photograph What's Familiar

Someone once said, "We only photograph what is familiar."

Or so I thought :-)

Katrin Eismann just sent me this via twitter: Nathan Lyons said, "We only photograph that which we recognize."

Well, I was close.

I am not sure I agree 100 percent with that statement, but I do find some truth to it. For example, the heart in both of these scenes drew me to make the photographs.

What do you think? And what do you photograph? Post a comment here.

Explore the light,

Rick

What's Next For You?

Photograph by Rick Sammon

Okay. You've read a couple of how-to photography books. You've downloaded several photo apps. You've signed up for a slew of on-line training classes. You've sat in on more than a few seminars. You're following the photo blogs of top pros. You've listen to your fair share of webinars. And you have a stockpile of podcasts on your mobile device just waiting for you to listen and learn.

I offer all of the above. If you have checked out my stuff, you know my teaching style: I like to make learning fast, easy and fun.

Hey, my podcasts with Juna Pons are free, so what are you waiting for? The webinars are free, too. You can find them on the Nik Software site and Topaz Labs site.

Getting back to the subject of this post, the very important question is, "What's next for you?"

Before reading on, think about that question for a few minutes - and your possible answer or answers.

Several options await you: turning full-time pro, going part-time pro, teaching, blogging, assisting a pro, selling photos on line, having a gallery show, having fun with your photography as a hobby, and so on.

One of the most important options is to apply what you've learned to your photography – and to shoot, shoot, shoot . . . and to get better and better and better. Take pictures every day.

Shooting, and applying the stuff you've leaned in books, magazines and on the web, is the best way of improving your photography.

Participating in a workshops and shooting in the field, or in the studio, along side a pro, is an effective, and speedy, way to grow as a photographer.

There are tons of workshops, including my own, that let you do just that. 

My workshops are relatively small, and I teach it all, from lighting to shooting to processing to posting. Plus, you'll have a ton of fun and meet like-minded photographers who just may become your good friends.

On my workshops, your wish is my command, so to speak. I can cover: setting up your camera and flash, studio lighting, speedlite shooting, wildlife photography, close-up photography, HDR, street photography, travel photography, Lightroom, Photoshop, people photography, social media marketing - and the list goes on. 

I teach the same stuff on my private workshops.

If you'd like to join one of my workshops, see my USA Workshops page and International Workshops page here on my blog. If you'd like a private shooting/processing sessions, shoot me an email.

In the meantime, think carefully about what's next for you - especially if you feel stuck in your photography and creativity. After all, you gotta grow as a photographer.

Finally, I, and other readers of this blog, would welcome your comments in the Comments section. Don't be shy. Share your thoughts. You just might help a fellow photographer find out what's next? And, you might even find the answer yourself.

I will be in Alaska on a workshop for the next 10 days. If you don't see your comment published here it's because I may not have access to the internet on the boat. But rest assured, your comments are important and will be posted.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. While I am on the subject of learning and growing, check out the following "Four Levels of Learning." Post a comment here as to your current level.

The Four Levels of Learning

1.  Unconscious Incompetence
We don’t know we are not good.

2.  Conscious Incompetence
We know we need help.

3.  Conscious Competence
We know we are good.

4.  Unconscious Competence 
The level we all want to reach in the things we care passionately about.
We don’t really have to think too much about what we are doing . . .
we just do it!

Have Some App Photo Fun This Weekend

My newest how-to app for the iPad is now available: Rick Sammon's iHDR.

This app (formerly called Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio) is packed with HDR photos (my latest from around the world), info and movies. It's a great way to learn and experience HDR.

The app has the same great content as HDR Portfolio, but with an added Favorites section. So, if you already have the app, you don't need to download this version.

It's called iHDR because the app is all about how you can create cool HDR images using your imagination – combined with HDR photography innovations.

Click here to download and to start the HDR fun.

Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet

My flagship comprehensive how-to app: Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet - iPhone and iPad.

Click here to see a serious review of the app. Click here to see a fun movie about the app.

 Rick Sammon's Light It!

Light It! and Light It Light!: My basic lighting apps – iPhone and iPad.

Click here to see the into movie to Light It! 

Cool new feature: You Light It! Photo Club. This club showcases your best photographs, along with the photographs of other talented photographers, based on the tips from this app. Simply click here to join the fun . .  and to enter the monthly photo contest. The prize for the contest:  1/2 hour portfolio review with yours truly via Skype or iChat.

Butterfly Wonders

Butterfly Wonders: Beautiful butterflies and section on close-up photography –  iPad only. Cool section on how-to take close-up pictures!

 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Mother Nature

Life Lessons We Can Learn From Mother Nature: My favorite images with inspirational quotes – iPad only.

 Skip Marini Golf Lessons

In Skip Marini Golf Lessons, I become the student – learning the best golf tips from the best pro in Westchester, NY – iPad and iPhone.

Snapshot to Great Shot with Good Composition

Ya know, it's not really that hard to turn a snapshot into a great shot . . . if you use a little imagination.

Above left is a snapshot, taken only a few feet away from where I took the shot on the right. Same lens. Same exposure. Same light.

The difference: Composition.

"Composition is the strongest way of seeing." Edward Weston

Good composition is one of the key elements in a good photograph.

For more examples of creative composition, see my latest work in my latest app, iHDR. Yes, the app is about HDR photography, but composition is important is all photography - which is something I stress in all my seminars and workshops.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon 14mm lens.

A Few Grab Shots From Ghent

Ghent is only about 2.5 hours from Amsterdam. I got a few cool grab shots in this medieval canal city this afternoon, after a quick stop in Brussels.

Above: cool graffiti walls, with a touch to Topaz Adjust/Spicify. (Info on Topaz on my Cool Plug-ins page.

Below, a more traditional shot of this picturesque city.

Today's tips: Be prepared for the unexpected - and the expected!

Explore the light,

Rick

Mexico Photo Workshop and Seminar Set for June

Photograph by Juan Jose Marquez

My friend Juan Jose Marquez and I are gearing up for my June Mexico seminar and workshop. My seminar will be held in Mexico City. The workshop will be held in San Miguel de Allende - one of the most picturesque and romantic places on the planet. We hope you can join the photo fun.

Speaking of fun, Juan Jose likes to have some fish-eye fun, as illustrated by the first two pictures in this post.

Photograph by Juan Jose Marquez

I like to use a fish-eye lens, too. Below is one of my favorite fish-eye shots, taken in San Miguel de Allende.

Photograph by Rick Sammon

Yes! During the workshop we will also be using other types of lenses. :-)

Below are two more of my San Miguel images. Both are HDR.

Photograph by Rick Sammon

Photograph by Rick Sammon

We both hope to see you in Mexico.

To see more of Juna Jose's work:

http://www.marquezestudioimagendigital.com

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. During my last visit to San Miguel de Allende, I rented a red VW for the morning and used it as a prop in eight different locations. Good photo fun!

Holland Day 3: Fish-eye Lens Fun at Keukenhof

Thanks to Marc Chang Sing Pang, a cool dude I met on twitter, we spent a wonderful morning at the garden at Keukenhof.

I took about 200 photographs, but many looked quite similar to the pictures I had seen on postcards. So, for a uniqe look, I used my Canon 15mm lens on my Canon 5D Mark II, held the camera at ground level, and took a few shots.

A few tips for today:
- You don't always have to be looking through the camera's viewfinder for a good shot.
- Set a small aperture for great depth of field.
- Always look up.
- Take the postcard shots, and then take creative shots.
- Have fun.

I'll be sharing more composition tips on my upcoming class on composition for Kelby training: Composition - the strongest way of seeing.

Thank you, again, Marc for being our personal tour guide - and friend.


Explore the light,
Rick


P.S. I also shot some macro pictures. Here's a favorite. 

Tips: 
- Tell the Story With Different Lenses.
- Shoot back-lit shots.

Holland Day 2: Studio Shoot with Frank Doorhof

I spent most of today with Dutch fashion photographer Frank Doorhof.

I had a blast shooting side-by-side with this top pro in his studio, which is about one hour outside of Amsterdam. 

Frank arrange a great model, Stephanie Popping, and set up a light or two for some cools shots. Here are just a few of my photographs from the shoot.

After the shoot, I interviewed Frank for the DPE Podcast. Soon come. In the interview, Frank and I talked about the importance of shadows in a photograph. Some tips:

- Light illuminates, shadows define.

- Shadows add depth to a photograph - and drama.

- Shadows can be your friend.

I took all of the above pictures using just one light.

Before the shoot, Frank used the Passport ColorChecker to get an accurate white balance reading. 

 

More on the ColorChecker:

X-Rite ColorChecker PassportX-Rite ColorChecker Passport

Above: 

Rick: "Frank, I love your shot!" 

Frank: "Rick, I love your shot."

Stephanie: "Thumbs up to working with these pros."

Like me, Frank always shoots tethered in the studio. His camera is hooked up to three monitors in his "cockpit." The large monitor lets Frank, his assistant and the model see the shot; the monitor on the right is calibrated to show accurate color; and the monitor on the left (behind me) is used for zooming in on important details.

Thank you Frank for a fun-filled afternoon - and a wonderful dinner. I'll return your hospitality when you come to New York.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S Speaking of Dutch masters, check out this post I did on "The Girl With a Pearl Earring."

Holland Day 1: Working on New Images for My Creative Photographic Composition Project

As I mentioned last week here on the blog, I am starting a new project on photographic composition. The project will include more than 101 images that illustrate virtually every composition technique – including shooting down low, as illustrate in the opening HDR image for this post.

Working with shadows is another cool composition technique. :-)

Below is another new image for my composition project. Tip #1: the background is just as important as the foreground. In fact, you can't have one without the other. Tip #2: Separate (or isolate) the elements in a scene to make them stand out in your photograph.

Hey! Many artist worked here and are working here. So, feeling kinda artistic, I added an artist effect to the image above: Curly Smooth in Topaz Adjust Clean 3. For info on Topaz and other creative plug-ins, click here.

If you want to be updated on my composition project, shoot me an email.

More to come from the trip.

Explore the light,

Rick

New Zealand Workshop Offers Spectacular Photo Opportunities

In March 2012, New Zealand photographer Petr Hlavacek and I will be co-leading a photo workshop to New Zealand. I can't wait for the trip, but I have to :-)

So for now, here is a preview of what we'll be photographing. Take it away Petr.

Petr (pictured above in shorts) and I will be co-leading a once-in-a-lifetime photo tour/workshop to New Zealand in March 2012. Here is a preview of what the participating photographers will be photographing. Shoot me an email if you want to join the photo fun.

This will be one of the best-priced and most exciting New Zealand workshops on the web. 

Important note: Airfare will not be included so you can book the most practical flights – which is very important on a long trip.

All of these New Zealand pictures were taken by Petr.

Take it away Petr.

• • •

To some, it may sound strange that a flash can be used for capturing images in the extremely bright glacier environment. Well, most of the time it is true that you don't need to use the flash. However, there are cases where it pays off to consider using one.

In the follow two examples, I'd like to demonstrate the difference a flash can make when photographing glaciers. Keeping an keen eye on the structure, the layering of the ice, and seeking interesting patterns is the way to determine if a flash will give you the best result.

On site, if you zoom in on an image on your camera's LCD monitor, and when you are back home and view your images on your computer, you'll see that the flash may often separate icy layers due to the ice density. I'm not a scientist, but I assume that this has to do with the amount of air bubbles in the glacier ice, and thus its reflectivity/absorbing capacities of the flashed cold light, being based around the blue range of the color spectrum, similar to the glacial ice.

The image above was made without a flash. The viewer tends to look right through the opening in the ice toward the mountains, initially not paying much of an attention to the ice itself, and using it rather as a natural frame before coming back to it and observing the ice dimples and other details.

The image above tells a different story. The viewer is attracted by the patterns, textures and layering of the ice straight away – before looking further toward the mountains.
This flashed image, with its icy layers in this case, reminds me of a human eye with eyelashes.

The two images are of the same scene, but offer different experiences. Which one do you prefer? I think both image work well, as they both have their own beauty.

Along the lines of using a flash, I'd like to give you an example of when using a flash in an ice cave is not always a good idea.

The image above was shot without a flash. The melting ice and its ice pockets create a beautiful, almost 3D texture on the walls of this blue ice cave.

The image above was shot using flash, and all that magic is completely gone. The image is flat, washed out, and lacks the natural color of the ice cave.

The following images of New Zealand's native Nikau Palms are a great examples of when to use a polarizing filter, and when you may not want to use one. The images were made immediately after a hard rain while it was still drizzling. The rain made the leaves reflective, giving them a great dark green color, created by heavy clouds of the stormy, overcast day.

The image above has no polarizing effect employed, rendering the green as a dark and cold. It feels almost like the leaves are made of steel.

The image above shows the polarizing effect on the leaves, which took that beautiful steel shine away, rendering the green as a warm, juicy and green color. The image feels a bit flat, with low contrast – shifting colors from what I had seen and felt.

To me, the first image without a polarizing filter is much stronger, with rather unique colors giving the image more definition and depth.

The image above shows the winter sunrise over Lake Matheson. It's on our "shot list" and is the most photographed lake in New Zealand.

Note: All RAW files of these images have been processed using Lightroom and Photoshop CS4/5 with standard color and tonal corrections to render scene as real as I experienced in reality.

• • •

To see more of Petr's wonderful work, check out his Web site.


Petr is also a founder and co-owner of New Zealand image stock library NZICESCAPES IMAGES, specializing in imagery from a diverse West Coast of the Southern Alps in the South Island, with focus on the glaciers and its ice.

We both hope you can join us in March 2012 for our photo tour and workshop!

For info on all my photo tours and workshops, click here.

Explore the light,
Rick



P.S. I took these two photographs in Antarctica. I love blue ice - and can't wait to photograph it in New Zealand!

Good Composition is a Key Element in the Making of a Good Photograph. Share Your Thoughts Here.

When in comes to the making of a photograph, several elements are important:

1) Subject

2) Composition

3) Exposure

4) Motion or lack of it

5) Depth of field

6) Color
7) Lighting 
8) Lens Choice
9) Shooting angle
10) Focus
11) And most important, the mood or feeling of the photograph.

All of these elements are subjective, of course. There are, however, certain guidelines that are helpful to consider before you take a shot.

For me, composition is one of the key factors, maybe one of the most important factors, in the making of a good picture. It is one factor that can be easily learned - and improved upon.

After all, you decided what you want and don't want in the frame, just like a painter who decides what and what not to paint on a canvass.

One way to learn about composition it to look at the work of other photographers. So . . . . here are a few examples of some composition techniques.

The two pictures above illustrate these composition tips:

- Place the subject off center.

- Compose following the rule of thirds (tic-tac-toe grid over the frame)

- The name of the game is to fill the frame.

- Shoot for a balanced photograph.

- The shooting angle matters.
- Isolating each of the main subjects makes them stand out in the scene.

The two pictures below illustrate the important composition technique of using a foreground element to frame your subject - as well as the importance of watching the all-important background.

I am considering a major project on composition, with more than 101 photographs from my worldwide travels illustrating every composition technique. If you are interested in learning more about composition, or have a suggestion or idea about composition, please  post a comment here (rather than on twitter and facebook) so I can see them all in one place.

Explore the light,

Rick