Browsing all posts in Outdoor Photography.

Flash, Strobe, or Constant Light?

When casting light upon your photographic subject, which is better, flashes and strobes, or constant light sources such as bulbs and lamps? The answer, as in many things in life, is “it depends”. Five Reasons To Use A Flash or Strobe: 1. You really need to be able to direct, modify and shape the light. [...]

Composition – Rule of Thirds

It’s important to be very knowledgeable about the technical aspects of your camera. Otherwise you won’t know the best way to maximize your camera’s capabilities to capture the best images you can. This is true regardless of the make or model of your camera. Unfortunately, being an expert in all of the camera’s features and [...]

Super Moon!

In honor of tomorrow’s anticipated “Super Moon” event (Saturday May 5th), here is a rerun of Steve’s article on photographing the moon from last year. ———- Whether you’ve photographed the moon numerous times or have just thought about doing it, Saturday evening, March 19, 2011 May 5th, 2012, is a must do evening. On that [...]

Expose for the Sky

A reader recently asked, “I’ve read a lot of photography articles where they say to “expose for the background” or “meter for the subject”, then “recompose and shoot”. When I do that, it still doesn’t work! My camera just adjusts the exposure for whatever I’m focusing on. For instance, if I want to take a [...]

My Favorite Subject to Shoot

With today’s equipment and technology, photography has become so simple and ubiquitous that anyone can take photos. Whether you use a $6,000 professional model camera or your cell phone, you can capture photos. However, all the equipment and technology available won’t guarantee that you will take good photos. That has to come from your “eye.” [...]

Light Meter Basics

One of the most essential items of gear that a photographer must have in his or her arsenal is a light meter (even though Steve didn’t mention it in his last article, and yes I jump at the chance to tease him). Some would argue that the light meter is just as important as the [...]

15 Tips for Wild Flower Photography

When I posted the article last week about personal photography project ideas one of the ideas/suggestions was photographing wildflowers. While wild flowers are generally more numerous and varied in the spring or rainy season, depending in what part of the world you live, they can be found almost year round in most places. However, because [...]

Lock in the Light

I was standing at the top of a mountain when I took this picture (click to enlarge). The wind was blowing, my hands were freezing (even in Arizona, it’s cold at an elevation of 7600 feet in January), it was about 4:30 in the afternoon, and I was completely blown away by this LIGHT. This [...]

Backgrounds and Backdrops Outside The Studio

Last week, on the subject of backgrounds and backdrops, I focused on the studio environment; a place where the photographer is in control. I thought it would be good to complement that article with one where the photographer has less control; outside the studio. In doing so I’ve decided to list a number of things [...]

Going Pro – How to Prioritize Gear Purchases

Unfortunately, most of us work with a limited budget when it comes to purchasing photography gear. Once we consider taking our photography to the next level and going pro, having the right gear becomes even more important. Not only is it important to have the right gear to capture the shots, it is also important [...]