Browsing all posts in "Photography".

Composition Tip – Avoid Mergers

Okay, this just looks weird. This is an EPIC example of a classic composition no-no – a “merger”. This poor giraffe looks like it has two heads, when really his buddy was standing behind him and looking off at an angle. But because of the way the shot was composed, what you see is just [...]

Have Fun With Your Camera This Weekend!

I think it’s time to get out there and have some fun this weekend, my friends! We work hard, we have busy lives, but at the end of the day you really have to say to yourself, “Am I having any fun?” Well, are you? Last weekend, my husband and I went to the Phoenix [...]

April Photo Challenge

Happy April! Today’s article is no April Fool’s joke, though. It’s time for another photo challenge! Each month we feature a month-long “challenge”: one photographic “theme” in which participants are encouraged to take photos of a certain subject or concept, and one “technical challenge” in which participants will use a certain photography technique. Contributors can [...]

Creative Cropping

There are occasions when the judicious use of cropping techniques can mean the difference between keeping and discarding a photograph. For the most part, unless you’re including the entire scene as the subject of the photograph, it is best to fill the frame with the subject as much as possible. Doing so will take a [...]

Still Life Photography

Still life photography involves taking photographs of an inanimate object or small grouping of objects. When capturing still life images, it is important to pay close attention to the photograph’s composition and the arrangement of the objects themselves. The type and quality of lighting is also important in order to illuminate the details, cast appealing [...]

Handy equipment for wildlife photography

The other day I wrote about some basic tips for wildlife photography; today let’s discuss some of the handy equipment for wildlife photography that you might want to get your hands on before going out there and shooting. A dSLR. Like I said before, I’m not a camera snob and generally don’t care if someone [...]

Stepping Up Your Gear

So, you have a camera that you’re happy and comfortable with. You have a small handful of lenses which accommodate nearly every photographic circumstance that you find yourself in. You’ve set yourself up with a few extra pieces of essential gear – a remote shutter release, a tripod, maybe some lens hoods or a couple [...]

The First Photo I Was Ever Proud Of

This is the first picture that I took that I was ever really proud of. This is the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I had just gotten my very first digital SLR, specifically for the trip to Maine that we took that year. I remember clearly that on that day I was determined [...]

The Finer Points of Focus

Most of the time, unless we’re trying to achieve some sort of differing photographic effect, photographers are shooting for tack-sharp pictures. Here are some tips for taking sharp and well-focussed pictures. 1. Stability is key. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you want to take a picture that is perfectly focused [...]

Book Review – Photography by John Freeman

If you are a beginner photographer looking for a good book that covers the basics, or an intermediate photographer looking to further improve your knowledge base, then I recommend Photography: The New Complete Guide to Taking Photographs by John Freeman. This is actually one of the first books that I picked up when I was [...]