Browsing all posts in Inspiration.

Camera Obscura Creates “Rooms With A View”

(Click on all photographs to enlarge and enjoy.) There was a time, in the not-too-distant past, when photography seemed like magic. Given what we know now, with concepts taught to us by our high-school science teachers, we understand the photographic process much better than our historical compatriots. That understanding has in no way removed the [...]

Look to the Past to find Encouragement for the Future

From time to time, every photographer experiences a bit of discouragement. Perhaps we’ve had an “off” day in which we just couldn’t capture the shots we wanted. Maybe what we find ourselves having to photograph is a far cry from what we really wish to be photographing. Or it could be that we’ve hit a [...]

Reacquaint Yourself With Our Features!

By now you may have noticed that we’ve been doing some modifications to the website. Additional features, specialized content, and a new look are in the works, but for now we hope that the changes that we’ve made have improved your experience while visiting Beyond Megapixels. Here are some areas that we’d like to call [...]

Love the Lens You’re With

I’m about to get a song stuck in your head. “If you can’t be with the lens you love (honey), love the lens you’re with.” I’m paraphrasing, of course. (If you’re not sure which song I’m talking about, a kind YouTube patron posted it here.) Steve wrote a recent article about first-party vs. third-party lenses [...]

Eight Reasons Why I Love Photography

By Steve Russell Recently I read, on another photography blog, an article entitled “10 Reasons Why I Hate Photography.” I’m pretty sure that the writer had his tongue firmly planted in his cheek when he wrote and posted the article but he did make a few good points. His article prompted me to list eight [...]

Hidden Gems for Outdoor Photography

By Steve Russell Over the last six or eight months, Tiffany and I have offered a number of articles discussing ideas of where and what to shoot ranging from your backyard to personal treasures like ceramic frogs. This is another along similar lines. If you enjoy outdoor photography as I do, then finding a place [...]

What To Shoot When There’s Nothing To Shoot

(Hover your mouse pointer over the photos for notes.) I am of the school of thought that in order to become a truly excellent photographer, one must practice every single day. If the camera is only brought out for special events or specific assignments, the photographer is relegated to the “occasional” category and cannot truly [...]

Subject Goals for 2011 and Beyond

My husband and I spent the weekend buzzing around town on his motorcycle (sorry to rub in the fact that we’re enjoying 70-degree weather here in Arizona at the moment). As such I didn’t bring my camera along, even though I continued to look at the day with a photographer’s eye. I really must get [...]

Street Photography

The buzz and excitement surrounding the discovery of Vivian Maier’s vast collection of photographs has generated a renewed interest in, and curiosity about, street photography. Street photography reveals a candid look at a city’s population, architecture, and events. It can also be used to deliver a personal, social, political, or environmental message. Photographs are taken [...]

Shoot What You Have, Shoot Where You Are

One of the lessons that I’ve recently learned and have tried to take to heart is a simple one… just shoot. Don’t obsess over having your entire lens collection with you so that you can get the “perfect” shot for any circumstance. Chances are you’ll miss the shot while you’re fumbling with a lens change, [...]