Browsing all posts in photography 101.

Dioptric Adjustment

If you’re having focus issues that you can’t quite explain or pinpoint the cause, you might need to adjust your camera’s diopter. Everyone’s vision is different, so your camera provides the ability to adjust the focus of the viewfinder to your individual needs. Your SLR camera has a small dial, typically near the eyecup, that [...]

Shortcuts and Rules of Thumb

Following are a few shortcuts and rules of thumb that help me in my day-to-day photography needs. Since I refer to them often enough myself, I thought I would pass them along to you. Using a Teleconverter Keep light loss in mind if you use a teleconverter in combination with your lens. In general, adjust [...]

How Have You Grown?

One of the things that I appreciate the most about my Flickr photostream is the growth that I can see emerging in my photographic abilities. I’ve maintained a Flickr membership since February of 2006, and have had an on-line presence since 2000. Throughout, I have taken thousands upon thousands of photographs, and have had several [...]

Guest Entry – Is a Hand Held Light Meter Really Necessary?

This guest post is kindly provided to us by Steve Russell. You can contact Steve at steve.russell@russellpc.net. ———- Is a Hand Held Light Meter Really Necessary? By: Steve Russell Recently Tiffany Joyce posted an article about determining correct exposure by reading histograms. She opened the article by questioning the need for the use of a [...]

What NOT to Photograph

While considering what kinds of pictures you should set your sights on capturing, you should also take a moment to ponder what photographs you shouldn’t take. Avoid clutter. It is a proven fact that a tidy, neat, and clean home sells more quickly than a messy, cluttered home. This concept translates to photography as well. [...]

Setting Goals in Photography

I’m going to ask you all a brief, seemingly simple question, and I’d like you all to take a moment to really ponder your answer. What are your goals, in relation to photography? I myself paused for a moment, after typing that line. I don’t believe I’ve often thought about the specifics of having a [...]

Photography 101 – How to Read a Histogram

I happened to be driving through the “fashionable” part of Arizona a while back (Scottsdale, for those of you familiar with the state), and saw a professional photographer arranging a wedding party in front of a fountain. The photographer was holding up an external, hand-held light meter to judge the exposure settings to be used. [...]

Friday Assignment – Learn and Apply Something New

This weekend I would like to encourage our readers to learn something new about the subject of photography, and apply what you have learned. Photography is an ever-evolving challenge, and we need to constantly renew and add to our skills toolbox. Here are some resources and suggestions to get you started and give you some [...]

Photography 101 – Exposure Compensation

The exposure compensation feature on today’s digital cameras does what the name suggests – compensates the exposure of the shot according to the conditions in which the photo is being taken. Exposure compensation is used to manually adjust the exposure to something different than what the camera’s meter is suggesting. The photographer can tell the [...]

Photography 101 – Battery Grip

I recently purchased an Opteka Battery Pack Grip / Vertical Shutter Release for my Canon Digital Rebel. The addition of this device greatly extends the battery life of the camera. It also has a vertical shutter release, which means when I am shooting in portrait mode I can hold the camera normally (i.e. with my [...]