Photography podcast – photography blog – Photography.ca

PDN PhotoPlus Expo – New York – Oct. 28-30, 2010

Just in case you have never heard of this trade show, it’s AWESOME. I’m going again (my second time) this year.

Basically, all the manufactures in the photography world that you know will be there with their products (some brand new), as well as plenty of smaller companies that you will not have heard of. Those smaller companies are super-interesting as many of them make niche products. Registration is free for the trade show until a week before the event. The products are shown on 2 humongous floors in the Jacob Javits center in NYC.

IN ADDITION – The Photoplus expo also has an amazing selection of seminars (with well-known instructors) that you can choose to attend if you pay for them.

Hope to see some of you there, and feel free to connect with me beforehand so we can meet up in NYC. Just as an FYI, hotels in NYC are crazy expensive. If you want to save a few bucks stay in east New Jersey.

Registration is here

The seminar schedule is here

Tags: Photo expo

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Photography forum image of the month – July 2010

Every month on our photography forum members nominate images that they like. Then at the end of the month I choose an excellent image and talk about why it rocks. The photo I choose is not necessarily the best one of the month. I’ve come to realize it’s not really logical to pit images from totally different genres against each other. That’s why there are categories in photo contests. I just choose a photo that has extremely strong elements that we can learn from.

Time for Sunflowers by mibriet

I chose this image for several reasons:

Impact – Wow, bang, kapow, this is an extremely striking image and it’s a pleasure to look at it.

Sharpness – Love the sharpness here. This is partially achieved through focus stacking (where multiple images with different focus points are blended together)

Degree of difficulty – This is no easy shot to get. mibreit waited for the right time of day to get this. During the shoot both exposure AND focus were shot differently on multiple frames. Then in PP these were all blended. A whole lot of love and dedication went into getting this gorgeous image.

Colour – These colours sing. There’s also some great juxtaposition in the colours of the sky versus the colours in the foreground.

Blending – The blending of the various exposures (and focal points) is tastefully done here to my eye. Sometimes HDRs or DRIs are too overdone and call attention to themselves. This is not the case here for me. The greens here are the only colour that I may have toned down slightly (but they still work for me and we are in the realm of personal taste at this point). If I have one niggle, I can still see a touch of haloing around some of the leaves, but I can totally live with it.

Composition – Very interesting elements throughout the foreground, midground and background. Although there are multiple things to focus on, the large foreground left flower is extra-sharp and just slightly brighter than the other flowers, thus making it one of the main focal points.

For all these reasons, this is my choice for image of the month. Since we all have opinions, some members may disagree with my choice. That’s cool but THIS post is not the place for debate over my pick, NOR is it the place to further critique the image. The purpose here is to suggest strong elements in the photo that we may learn from.

Congrats again mibreit for creating this gorgeous image!

I’d also like to include these 3 images as honourable mentions.

Crummock Water by Richard

Tasmania - 'The Chrurch - Port Arthur' by Mad Aussie

Summer Shower by Barefoot

Tags: image of the month, photography

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Photography forum image of the month – June 2010

Every month on our photography forum members nominate images that they like. Then at the end of the month I choose an excellent image and talk about why it rocks. The photo I choose is not necessarily the best one of the month. I’ve come to realize it’s not really logical to pit images from totally different genres against each other. That’s why there are categories in photo contests. I just choose a photo that has extremely strong elements that we can learn from.

Swirls by Edg

I chose this image for several reasons:

I love the sharpness here and overall depth of field choice here. Lovely sharp foreground flower (the focal point) at left.

The tonal quality of the flowers is very unique and well done. It’s a bit darker than I’m used to seeing, but it adds to the unique tonal quality and mood of the photograph. Gorgeous palette of pinks and reds. Great highlights in the flower at left and nice subtle highlights on the right flower as well. I like that the left flower is slightly brighter than the right.

My eye is skillfully guided around the image and rests on the focal point. This is due to some fine focal point selection and lens selection during exposure and some lovely post processing. The post processing (especially the darkening of the background) refines the overall composition here and it totally works.

If I have one small niggle, I’d clone out/burn the brightish white edge of the petal on the main left flower at lower left, but that’s it.

For all these reasons, this is my choice for image of the month. Since we all have opinions, some members may disagree with my choice. That’s cool but THIS thread is not the place for debate over my pick, NOR is it the place to further critique the image. The purpose here is to suggest strong elements in the photo that we may learn from.

Congrats again edG for creating this gorgeous image!

I’d also like to include these 3 images as honourable mentions as they also came close to being picked.

Yummmmm - I Love Pollen by Matt K.

Wading Pool by Jas Photo

Descending by Barefoot

Tags: image of the month, photography

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Sunset – sunrise – blue hour – golden hour table/calculator

Use this tool by JekoPhoto to calculate sunrise, sunset, golden hour and blue hour anywhere in the world.

Hat tip to moinmoin from our photo forum for this excellent find.

Definitions below taken from http://jekophoto.eu/tools/

“The “Blue Hour” is a mostly short period of time direct before sunrise and after sunset. The duration of this outstanding mood of light varies. In the middle european area the Blue Hour typically persists between 30 and 50 minutes. In e.g. more northern locations – as Fairbanks (Alaska) or Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) it lasts up to 5 or 6 hours. If you are closer to the equatorial area the period of time is much less. The name “Blue Hour” comes from the blue colored sky. This characteristic blue is based on the fact that there is neither full daylight nor complete darkness as the sun is below the horizon. Another impression is the mixture of the blue natural and the warm artifically lights.

The “Golden Hour”, sometimes called “Magic Hour” is a time frame shortly after sunrise and before sunset. The sun is near the horizon and the light, with it’s golden color, is very warm. These facts gives photos more structure and an outstanding mood of light. As the “Blue Hour” the duration of the “Golden Hour” with its special charme depends on the geographic location. “

Tags: blue hour, exposure, golden hour, sunset

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Photography forum image of the month – May 2010

Every month on our photography forum members nominate images that they like. Then at the end of the month I choose an excellent image and talk about why it rocks. The photo I choose is not necessarily the best one of the month. I’ve come to realize it’s not really logical to pit images from totally different genres against each other. That’s why there are categories in photo contests. I just choose a photo that has extremely strong elements that we can learn from.

A Black & White Foray by Mad Aussie

I chose this image for several reasons:

First off, it’s a WOW image. A lot of the ‘wow’ comes from the incredible sky and the way it’s processed. It’s darkish, somewhat ominous and sets an incredible mood. Had the sky been boring, this shot would not be the same, so good on Mad Aussie for noticing the amazing sky.

The tones in this image are very nicely rendered and the higher contrast used here works extremely well to my eye. It’s very dramatic and makes me think of the Greek Myth involving Atlas. If I have one teeny niggle I’d have toned down the brighter rock just under the main boulder.

Leading lines – The rocks at lower left lead upward toward the big rock at center right which is the focal point of this image. This is NO accident and is the result of careful in-camera composition. In terms of overall composition – just friggen fab. Interesting foreground (jagged rocks) midground (boulder which is the focal point) and background (awesome sky) elements. The split between rocks and sky is also interesting and well thought out with 2/3rds sky and about 1/3rd rocks. Although we often have the discussion about the rule of thirds being a mere guideline…that rule is rocking this image

For all these reasons, this is my choice for image of the month. Since we all have opinions, some members may disagree with my choice. That’s cool but THIS thread is not the place for debate over my pick, NOR is it the place to further critique the image. The purpose here is to suggest strong elements in the photo that we may learn from.

Congrats again Mad Aussie for creating this striking image!

I’d also like to include these 2 images as honourable mentions as they also came close to being picked.

Mountain Stream by Bambi

Driftwood and clouds by Michaelaw

Tags: image of the month, photography

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Dawson College (Montreal) – Graduating photography class exhibition – 3 days only

Last night I went to see the work of the graduating class of photography students at Dawson College in Montreal. I completed a photography degree there a few moons ago when Daguerre was practicing his art

The work is extremely varied and of extremely high quality. The exhibition will ONLY LAST 3 DAYS, so if you are into photography in Montreal, get your butt over to Dawson for a look-see. Thursday May 27 – Saturday May 29 2010 from 11 AM to 5 PM

Dawson College • 3040 Sherbrooke St. W. • Westmount, Quebec • H3Z 1A4 • (514) 931 – 8731 (Metro Atwater)

Tags: Dawson College, photography students

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Photography forum image of the month – April 2010

Every month on our photography forum members nominate images that they like. Then at the end of the month I choose an excellent image and talk about why it rocks. The photo I choose is not necessarily the best one of the month. I’ve come to realize it’s not really logical to pit images from totally different genres against each other. That’s why there are categories in photo contests. I just choose a photo that has extremely strong elements that we can learn from.

I chose this image for several reasons:

The eye is tack tack sharp and that’s hard to do on a subject this small, because focusing (and dof) is a challenging task at this size and distance to subject. Sharpness is lovely in many places; leg hairs, thorax, abdomen. Blurred background shows no distractions.

The subject has a definite impact on the viewer. It’s likely very creepy for many viewers, probably because of sharpness. My eye is focused on one thing, that fly.

Good composition all around which can be challenging at this size as well.

Nice highlight control on whatever the fly is resting on and the overall exposure is well handled with supplementary lighting.

For all these reasons, this is my choice for image of the month. Since we all have opinions, some members may disagree with my choice. That’s cool but THIS thread is not the place for debate over my pick, NOR is it the place to further critique the image. The purpose here is to suggest strong elements in the photo that we may learn from.

Congrats again OWLP for creating this striking image!

I’d also like to include these 2 images as honourable mentions as they also came so so close to being picked.

Colorless Beauty by Kat

Dinner time by Richard

Power At Sunrise by Mad Aussie

Tags: image of the month, photography

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Toronto Contact Photography Festival – May 1-31 2010

Last week I spent 2 days gallery-hopping at the Toronto Contact Photography festival. It’s always a treat to see so many photographic works being exhibited at the same time. This festival shows photography work all around the city of Toronto (from local and International artists)  but it’s mostly concentrated downtown.

I go to these events purely to see good photography and to get inspired. I LOVE seeing work that moves me even if it is outside what I normally consider to be ‘my’ subject matter. As with most photography festivals, the majority of the work does not appeal to me. Photography for the most part is a one frame deal and if I have to look too hard for the deeper meaning,  or work to see the greatness of the shot, then for me the photograph makes me go “meh”. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE symbolism, I love images laden with themes and I love double or triple meanings in an image but SHOW it to me. Don’t embed the gold too deeply in the image, make the gold shine. Don’t make me go back to a text on mythology with an obscurely titled photograph, show me something universal that moves me now.

There were far too many exhibitions to see them all but I did see a good 20 exhibitions. I should say that I missed at least 3 shows purely because I could not find them. Herman & Audrey is a show that I would have LOVED to have seen. I drove to address the on Dufferin, in fact I planned part of my day on that show since the gallery opened at 4pm….nothing there to indicate any exhibition there folks…and no phone number either.

So here were the shows that intrigued me the most with a brief review:

- Barbara Probst – Exposures – This was a cool show; 12 cameras all set up in different locations, photograph the same scene from different angles. The resulting large scale photographs all taken at the same moment, are presented in an interesting and cohesive way. 1450 Dundas St. W  – 416-537-3125

- The Skin you Love to Touch – Jodi Bieber, Lauren Greenfield, Zed Nelson – I thought this one was very intriguing showing the ’skins’ of very different people and their relation to marketing, consumerism, perception and self-perception. 80 Spadina suite 310

Ben Ng - Exposed: Pervasive Influence -  Gladstone Hotel on the second floor ( a great venue at 1214 Queen St. W. with MANY exhibitions). I found Ben’s landscapes extremely well done and very striking. In particular the printing quality is just fabulous. Most of the images were hand-painted; meaning they started off as black and white images and then selected parts were hand-painted. It looked to me like they were hand-painted old school (as opposed to doing this much more easily in Photoshop) which means that you apply paint to the actual photograph.

My fave – Sometimes you’ll walk into a Gallery that is showing one main artist and other artists intrigue you even more. This is what happened at Bau-Xi Photo with their main exhibition At this Moment by Zoe Jaremus, which overall, I liked. Bau-Xi is located at 324 Dundas tel # 416-977-0400 and their gallery was my favorite stop of the entire exhibition. I discovered 2 artists there whose work struck me immediately;  Heidi Leverty (whose image is featured in this post) and Anthony Redpath. Heidi’s work is AWESOME and has tremendous impact. She only had 2 (large – around 32 x40 inches) images that were exhibited but Robyn who works at the gallery showed me some additional work. Her work depicts large scale recycled materials presented in an abstract yet extremely compelling way. Anthony’s work was even larger in scale and his exhibited image Trailer Park Party (64.5 x 96 inches) is excellent and incredibly sharp. Special thanks to Robyn McCallum for the extra information she gave me.

My apologies to all the artists whose work I missed. If you are reading this and want to send me some links to your work, I’m all eyes. Special thanks to Joe Cormier who gallery-hopped (literally – he has a sore leg) with me on day 1.  He also showed some fab work at this festival atMoos Gallery.

Tags: contact, contact photography festival, exhibitions, photography

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Multiple Exposure – Podcast teaser

I’ve been playing with in camera multiple exposures quite a bit lately and I’m really enjoying it. I used to do this quite a bit back in the day with my trusty Nikon FM2 film camera. Although the anticipation factor is dead with digital, there’s still something special about doing this in-camera. I’m having some fun re-experimenting and I plan to share my rediscoveries in the next podcast.

Inside Isabelle by Marko Kulik

BTW – The submissions in this month’s photo assignment ‘different point of view’ are very creative  – Thanks to all forum members for posting their fab work! Of course…if you haven’t joined, feel free to join – everyone is welcome!

Tags: multiple exposure

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Same subject different point of view

This month, again, we have a very cool assignment on our photography forum.
The goal is to shoot a subject from a different point of view. We just started this assignment and already have many cool posts. Here’s one from forum member Bambi that rocks. If you are lurking on our forum – we’re a friendly bunch so feel free to register for free and let’s see your creativity.

The Dogs' view of the trail by Bambi - Click to enlarge

Tags: photography, photography assignment, Photography.ca

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29 other things to buy after your first DSLR

I recently did a photography podcast on buying your first DSLR. In that podcast I suggested NOT spending a whack of cash on your first camera body, and saving it for lenses and accessories instead.

Speaking of all those accessories…member masp from our photography forum started this thread listing other items you’ll need to go with that first DSLR if you want to get serious about photography. It’s a big list for sure but it will give newbies in particular a feel for what many advanced shooters consider to be essential gear, accessories and must have gadgets.

So hat tip to masp once more for this list! Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments if you feel anything is missing.

Here’s a partial checklist I’ve put together from my own research and listening to the podcast. I’m sure I’ve probably left something important out here or there, so please let me know if you spot any omissions or useful things I should include. Asterisks denote the stuff that is more important or cheap enough to buy first.

A. CAMERA PROTECTION
* 1. UV filter ($10 to 30 to $60?)
* 2. Padded camera case
3. Camera armor?
* 4. LCD screen cover if not included. (Included for Nikons)
* 5. Viewfinder cover and magnifier
6. Fancy camera strap, like the Black Rapid straps?
* 7. Lens hood for any lenses that lack one. (Also keeps stuff from banging into your lens)

B. CLEANING
* 8. Microfiber cloth and a “huff of breath” (Can’t be more than a few bucks)
9. Air blower. Marko says to buy from a camera store, but Ken Rockwell says a $5 air blower from a drug store may suffice. Any reason to disagree with Rockwell here? (I’m kinda cheap )
* 10. Also consider a blower brush or lenspen. ($5-10)
* 11. Silica gel – it eats moisture in humid conditions (A few bucks)

C. PHOTOGRAPHIC TOOLS
12. Polarizer and ND filters
* 13. Tripod ($50? – $140 + + No reason not to buy used though, I think)
14. Maybe a monopod for portability, but a tripod seems more useful.
15. Flash (consider buying the most expensive one)
* 16. Reflectors maybe, or just a cheap piece of cardboard wearing white clothing.
17. Light meter. Useful for studio work mainly.

D. COMPUTER STUFF
* 18. SD or CF reader. Can you go with a cheap one here? As long as is a high speed one, I *think* it’s okay, but I’d hate to corrupt my data.
19. Photo printer. Pictbridge?
20. A decent monitor that isn’t excessively blue, contrasty or bright (referring to calibration podcast)
21. Monitor and printer color calibration tools.
22. Photography software (I’m going to stick with what’s free for now, but I suppose I’ll eventually buy some software when I figure out what’s most standard)
23. Color calibration equipment ($400-$1400?). Some may be available for $200 or under. Consider buying one before you start doing a lot of editing.

E. MISCELLANY
24. Spare battery ($10 to $30 on Amazon, more for brand name)
25. SD or CF card ($20 to $40 depending on desired size)
26. Extra lens and body caps (losing the originals may lower the resale value of your gear?)
27. Plastic trash bags to cover your gear bag if it’s not waterproofed and it starts raining. White ones may double as reflectors if you don’t mind looking unprofessional.
28. Zip lock bags for holding your cleaning supplies and other stuff maybe.
29. Baseball bat for when some guy on the street tries to grab your camera. J/K J/K I don’t condone violence, except for the Three Stooges variety.

Tags: photography, photography accessories

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1 bloody good reason to try the camera before you buy

The answer is PAIN.

I recently upgraded cameras and purchased a Nikon D700. It’s an awesome camera and I love it except for one thing…it does not feel great in my hand. In fact, after using it for a month it has been causing me a good deal of pain in my shooting hand.

SHAME ON ME.

I should know better, I council people to try before they buy and yet I did not fully listen to my own advice. Here’s what happened – I actually tried the D700 for a weekend 4 months ago. On that weekend I shot with the D700 for two periods of about 1 hour and my hand felt fine. I did notice that it was a heavy camera but I felt fine so I figured all was good.

SHAME ON ME.

I mean when I go out to shoot normally, on a gig or for pleasure, I USUALLY shoot for 3-4 hours (plus plus). So testing on 2 periods of 1 hour was a huge mistake. But I was in a “rush” to test the camera as it was only on loan for the weekend..and weekends are often busy.

PLEASE LEARN FROM MY ERROR.

Before you spend a whack of cash on a camera, test it for the length of time that you normally shoot with. Trying it in the store or for an hour is better than nothing but it’s not an accurate test. Rent the camera you intend to buy for a weekend especially if it is an expensive camera. Many larger brick and mortar camera stores will deduct the rental price off your new camera if you end up buying it. For my own case, I think adding a battery grip will solve the problem as it will take the excess weight off my shooting hand and divide it more evenly…..but this could have been avoided if I had fully followed my own advice.

Tags: buying a camera, photography

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