Photography podcast – photography blog – Photography.ca

86 – Inkjet paper review 2 – Museo Silver rag, Portfolio rag – Moab entrada bright

Photography podcast #86 is the second  podcast devoted to high end inkjet papers and it reviews and discusses 3 of them. I LOVE photo papers (traditional and digital) and I just bought a new Epson 3880 inkjet to test inkjet papers with….and of course make larger prints. There’s LOADS of creative possibilities when you try new inkjet papers so I hope the review of these 3 papers is useful to many listeners/readers.

All 3 of these papers are highly recommended. Museo Silver rag is a thick (300 GSM) light cream coloured paper with a medium gloss finish and a slight texture. Museo Portfolio rag is a thick (300GSM) matte paper with a cream colour and very slight texture. Moab Entrada 300 bright is a thick (300GSM) double sided matte paper with a white colour and slight texture. Just as an FYI, if i say a paper has a cream colour, others may say on first glance, no it’s white. However, take that paper and put it beside something like regular plain white laser paper and the creamy base tone is more apparent.

Note as well that the 2 matte papers have optical brighteners in them. I also talk about ICC profiles again. Here is where they go on your computer after you download them. MAC= MAC HD > Library > ColorSync > Profiles
Windows PC= C: > Windows > System 32 > Spool > Drivers > Color

Detail from Parisian self portrait on Museo silver rag - ©Marko Kulik

Parisian self portrait on Museo silver rag - ©Marko Kulik

Detail from Reflection at Dorwin - 2009 on Museo portfolio rag - ©Marko Kulik

Reflection at Dorwin - 2009 on Museo portfolio rag - ©Marko Kulik

Detail from Parisian self portrait on Museo portfolio rag - ©Marko Kulik

Parisian self portrait on Museo portfolio rag - ©Marko Kulik

Links /resources mentioned in this podcast:

Epson 3880 at B&H
Podcast 62 – Monitor/printer calibration
Podcast 63 – I1 Extreme and ColourMunki review & printer dialogue boxes when printing.
Museo Silver rag – Buy Museo silver rag at B&H
Museo Portfolio rag – Buy Museo portfolio rag at B&H
Moab Entrada 300 bright- Buy Moab entrada bright 300 at B&H
Main assignment on our photography forum – Minimalism
Level 2 assignment on our  photography forum – Sidelight to create texture in B/W

Publicphotograpgy.org – Celebrating the rights of photographers - Publicphotography.org – Flickr group – Publicphotography.org – Facebook group

Please join the Photography.ca fan page on Facebook

If you liked this podcast and want to review it on Itunes, this link gets you to the main page

My Facebook profile – Feel free to “friend” me – please just mention Photography.ca
My Twitter page – I will follow you if you follow me – Let’s connect – PLEASE email me and tell me who you are in case I don’t reciprocate because I think you are a spammer.

If you are still lurking on our forum,
feel free to join our friendly  Photography forum

Thanks to Benny who posted a blog comment about our last podcast. Thanks as always to everyone that sent comments by email about our last podcast. Although ALL comments are appreciated, commenting directly in this blog is preferred. Thanks as well to all the new members of the bulletin board. Most of the links to actual the products are affiliate links that help support this site. Thanks in advance if you purchase through those links.

If you are looking at this material on any other site except Photography.ca – Please hop on over to the Photography.ca blog and podcast and get this and other photography info directly from the source. I Subscribe with iTunes I Subscribe via RSS feed I Subscribe with Google Reader ISubscribe for free to the Photography podcast – Photography.ca and get all the posts/podcasts by Email
You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags: Inkjet paper review, moab inket paper, museo photo papers, Photography tips

Related posts:

• 85 – Inkjet paper review 1 – German etching – Fine art Baryta by Hahnemuhle
• Sepia toning black and white photographs (Traditional method)
• 68 – Creating a photography portfolio

85 – Inkjet paper review 1 – German etching – Fine art Baryta by Hahnemuhle

Photography podcast #85 is the first of several podcasts that will review and discuss inkjet papers. Let me say it right now, I LOVE photo papers (traditional and digital) and I just bought a new Epson 3880 inkjet to test inkjet papers with….and of course make larger prints.  There’s LOADS of creative possibilities when you try new inkjet papers so I hope the review of these 2 papers (German Etching and Fineart Baryta by Hahnemuhle) is useful to many listeners/readers. Both papers are Highly recommended. German Etching (310GSM) is a textured matte creamy white paper. Fineart Baryta (325 GSM) is a glossy white paper with an ever so slight texture. Ansel Adams called the print ‘the performance’ and these days there’s tons of paper choices to get your prints to sing.

Detail from The Wanderer II on German Etching paper by Hahnemuhle - ©Marko Kulik

Detail from Steam Vents at VNP - German Etching paper by Hahnemuhle - ©Marko Kulik

Steam Vents at VNP - German Etching Marko Kulik

The Wanderer II - German Etching - © Marko Kulik

Detail from Snow Pod on Fineart Baryta from Hahnemuhle © Marko Kulik

Snow Pod on Fineart Baryta from Hahnemuhle © Marko Kulik

The Wanderer I - Fineart Baryta Hahnemuhle © Marko Kulik

Links /resources mentioned in this podcast:

Epson 3880 at B&H
Podcast 62 – Monitor/printer calibration
Podcast 63 – I1 Extreme and ColourMunki review & printer dialogue boxes when printing.
Hahnemuhle papers – Hahnemuhle ICC profiles
Hahnemuhle German Etching Paper at B&H
Hahnemuhle Fine art Baryta Paper at B&H
Comment about back button autofocus on Nikonians – Thx F8&Bthere!
Testimonials link if you’re feeling wordy

Publicphotograpgy.org – Celebrating the rights of photographers - Publicphotography.org – Flickr group – Publicphotography.org – Facebook group

Please join the Photography.ca fan page on Facebook

If you liked this podcast and want to review it on Itunes, this link gets you to the main page

My Facebook profile – Feel free to “friend” me – please just mention Photography.ca
My Twitter page – I will follow you if you follow me – Let’s connect – PLEASE email me and tell me who you are in case I don’t reciprocate because I think you are a spammer.

If you are still lurking on our forum,
feel free to join our friendly  Photography forum

Thanks to RobvE, f8&Bthere, and Richard who posted a blog comment about our last podcast. Thanks as always to everyone that sent comments by email about our last podcast. Although ALL comments are appreciated, commenting directly in this blog is preferred. Thanks as well to all the new members of the bulletin board. Most of the links to actual the products are affiliate links that help support this site. Thanks in advance if you purchase through those links.

If you are looking at this material on any other site except Photography.ca – Please hop on over to the Photography.ca blog and podcast and get this and other photography info directly from the source. I Subscribe with iTunes I Subscribe via RSS feed I Subscribe with Google Reader ISubscribe for free to the Photography podcast – Photography.ca and get all the posts/podcasts by Email
You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags: hahnemuhle, Inkjet paper review, photography

Related posts:

• 86 – Inkjet paper review 2 – Museo Silver rag, Portfolio rag – Moab entrada bright
• Lith printing in photography – Photography podcast #39
• Interview with Ann Dahlgren – A Fairy’s Child – photography podcast # 9

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

Related posts:

• What is Good Light?
• 1 bloody good reason to try the camera before you buy
• February 2010 forum assignment – Photography and Song Titles

84 – Back (rear) button autofocusing

Photography podcast #84 is based on a single comment by Richard from our forum where he mentions rear-button autofocus to aid in sharpness. This technique was developed by Canon about 20 years ago but I first heard of this technique on the MPB podcast (link in shownotes – thx for finding it for me Martin!) about two and a half years ago. Basically this technique REMOVES autofocusing from the shutter release button and assigns it to a button on the back of the camera. Especially when tracking a moving subject, this is a great technique and will likely get you more keepers. It will also STOP your autofocus from tracking things that you don’t want it to.

Finger positions for rear button autofocus

Ducks - Even though ducks are entering/exiting the scene, autofocus is not lost on the central duck which I was tracking. The autofocusing cannot 'hunt' for any other duck because I am tracking and locking focus on only 1 duck.

Links /resources mentioned in this podcast:

Excellent Rear button autofocus article by Canon
Rear button autofocus discussed on the Martin Bailey Podcast
July 2010’s – Perspective and/or Leading lines assignment
Publicphotograpgy.org – Celebrating the rights of photographers - Publicphotography.org – Flickr group – Publicphotography.org – Facebook group

Please join the Photography.ca fan page on Facebook

If you liked this podcast and want to review it on Itunes, this link gets you to the main page

My Facebook profile – Feel free to “friend” me – please just mention Photography.ca
My Twitter page – I will follow you if you follow me – Let’s connect – PLEASE email me and tell me who you are in case I don’t reciprocate because I think you are a spammer.

If you are still lurking on our forum,
feel free to join our friendly  Photography forum

Thanks to Jackie Sheen, Jason and Glenn Euloth who posted a blog comment about our last podcast. Thanks as always to everyone that sent comments by email about our last podcast. Although ALL comments are appreciated, commenting directly in this blog is preferred. Thanks as well to all the new members of the bulletin board.

If you are looking at this material on any other site except Photography.ca – Please hop on over to the Photography.ca blog and podcast and get this and other photography info directly from the source. I Subscribe with iTunes I Subscribe via RSS feed I Subscribe with Google Reader ISubscribe for free to the Photography podcast – Photography.ca and get all the posts/podcasts by Email
You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags: back button autofocus, photography, rear button autofocus

Related posts:

• More photography podcasts are coming!
• Should I ditch photography School?
• Change Your Shooting Angle

83 – Photography 20 steps from your door

Photography podcast #83 is based on a suggestion by Casil403 (Thanks Casil!) from our forum. This podcast describes the exercise of photographing whatever you want with the restriction that it must be 20 steps from your door. This restriction forces you to “see”  what you are otherwise too busy to see. It’s an excellent exercise that really gets you to zero in on your sense of sight. Feel free to try this exercise for yourself and post the image somewhere and link to it in the comments for all to see. The photos below are images taken within 20 steps of my own door.

20 steps from my door by Marko Kulik

20 steps from my door by Marko Kulik

20 steps from my door by Marko Kulik

20 steps from my door by Marko Kulik

20 steps from my door by Marko Kulik

Links /resources mentioned in this podcast:

Rain cover for your DSLR and flash (at B&H)
Rain cover for your DSLR (at B&H)
June 2010’s – Motion assignment on the Photography.ca forum

Please join the Photography.ca fan page on Facebook

If you liked this podcast and want to review it on Itunes, this link gets you to the main page

My Facebook profile – Feel free to “friend” me – please just mention Photography.ca
My Twitter page – I will follow you if you follow me – Let’s connect – PLEASE email me and tell me who you are in case I don’t reciprocate because I think you are a spammer.

If you are still lurking on our forum,
feel free to join our friendly  Photography forum

Thanks to Bill Sorensen, Benny, Michael Van der Tol and Katrina Chickloski who posted a blog comment about our last podcast. Thanks as always to everyone that sent comments by email about our last podcast. Although ALL comments are appreciated, commenting directly in this blog is preferred. Thanks as well to all the new members of the bulletin board.

If you are looking at this material on any other site except Photography.ca – Please hop on over to the Photography.ca blog and podcast and get this and other photography info directly from the source. I Subscribe with iTunes I Subscribe via RSS feed I Subscribe with Google Reader ISubscribe for free to the Photography podcast – Photography.ca and get all the posts/podcasts by Email
You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags: 20 steps, photography, photography 20 steps from your door

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82 – Light-painting portraits – Interview with Patrick Rochon

Photography podcast #82 discusses painting with light AKA light painting with master light painter Patrick Rochon.  In a nutshell, light painting is (usually) the art of using portable lights like flashlights to ‘paint’ a subject in a dark environment while the shutter stays open on a tripod during a long exposure. In this podcast Patrick describes and shares some of the tips and tricks he uses to create his amazing light painted portraits. The majority of Patrick’s body of work, like the image below is non-digital, was shot on film, and has not been Photoshopped.

Links /resources mentioned in this podcast:

Podcast #8 – Another podcast on light painting
Patrick Rochon on Photography.ca
Patrick Rochon’s website
10 Amazing Light Graffiti Artists and Photographers
Light painting group on Flickr
May 2010’s – Vintage assignment on the Photography.ca forum

Please join the Photography.ca fan page on Facebook

If you liked this podcast and want to review it on Itunes, this link gets you to the main page

My Facebook profile – Feel free to “friend” me – please just mention Photography.ca
My Twitter page – I will follow you if you follow me – Let’s connect – PLEASE email me and tell me who you are in case I don’t reciprocate because I think you are a spammer.

If you are still lurking on our forum,
feel free to join our friendly  Photography forum

Thanks to Jack Label who posted a blog comment about our last podcast. Thanks as always to everyone that sent comments by email about our last podcast. Although ALL comments are appreciated, commenting directly in this blog is preferred. Thanks as well to all the new members of the bulletin board.

If you are looking at this material on any other site except Photography.ca – Please hop on over to the Photography.ca blog and podcast and get this and other photography info directly from the source. I Subscribe with iTunes I Subscribe via RSS feed I Subscribe with Google Reader ISubscribe for free to the Photography podcast – Photography.ca and get all the posts/podcasts by Email
You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags: light painter, light painting, light painting photography, patrick rochon

Related posts:

• Painting with light – photography podcast #8
• Painting with light
• Painting with light – blog post teaser

80 – Clean your camera’s sensor – cleaning camera lenses

Photography podcast #80 talks about how to clean your DSLR camera’s sensor. It describes the wet technique and the dry technique and it’s not as scary as it seems. We also talk about how to clean your camera’s mirror as well as cleaning camera lenses and general camera care.

Links /resources mentioned in this podcast:

Original suggestion thread for this podcast from our photography forum
The visible dust website – Camera and camera sensor cleaning products
The Copperhill Method of sensor cleaning – They sell cleaning kits and products as well
SensorKlear by Lenspen demo on Youtube
Camera and camera sensor cleaning supplies at B&H
Lenspen SensorKlear to clean camera sensors at B&H
Air blower at B&H
March 2010’s Light and Shadow assignment on the Photography.ca forum
Hat tip to photographer Dominic Fuizzotto for his insight on sensor cleaning.

Please join the Photography.ca fan page on Facebook

If you liked this podcast and want to review it on Itunes, this link gets you to the main page

My Facebook profile – Feel free to “friend” me – please just mention Photography.ca
My Twitter page – I will follow you if you follow me – Let’s connect – PLEASE email me and tell me who you are in case I don’t reciprocate because I think you are a spammer.

If you are still lurking on our forum,
feel free to join our friendly Photography forum

Thanks to Jimmy Brown,  Wickeddark, jack label, Fortytwo and Zenon5940 who posted a blog comment about our last podcast. Thanks as always to everyone that sent comments by email about our last podcast. Although ALL comments are appreciated, commenting directly in this blog is preferred. Thanks as well to all the new members of the bulletin board.

If you are looking at this material on any other site except Photography.ca – Please hop on over to the Photography.ca blog and podcast and get this and other photography info directly from the source. I Subscribe with iTunes I Subscribe via RSS feed I Subscribe with Google Reader I Subscribe for free to the Photography podcast – Photography.ca and get all the posts/podcasts by Email
You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags: camera cleaning, cleaning camera lenses, cleaning DSLR sensors

Related posts:

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• Point and Shoot cameras are good
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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

Related posts:

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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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79 – Customizing your camera for free

Photography podcast #79 talks about how to customize your camera using the custom settings functions in your camera’s menu. There are many, many, many useful ways to customize these settings for the way YOU personally shoot, but many photographers don’t use these settings or are afraid to touch these settings. Many features that your camera offers are set to OFF by default, and the only way to access them is by turning their custom function on in the custom menu of your camera. A quick and easy example is high ISO. On my former 30D from Canon, this setting was set to off so my highest normally available ISO was 1600. With one setting change in the custom function menu the highest available ISO becomes 3200.  This podcast encourages you to play with similar (and even better) settings in your camera.

Links /resources mentioned in this podcast:

The Nikon D700 at B&H
March 2010’s Light and Shadow assignment on the Photography.ca forum

Please join the Photography.ca fan page on Facebook

If you liked this podcast and want to review it on Itunes, this link gets you to the main page

My Facebook profile – Feel free to “friend” me – please just mention Photography.ca
My Twitter page – I will follow you if you follow me – Let’s connect – PLEASE email me and tell me who you are in case I don’t reciprocate because I think you are a spammer.

If you are still lurking on our forum,
feel free to join our friendly Photography forum

Thanks to Wickeddark, jack label, f8&Bthere, sephibox, Fortytwo and Casil403 who posted a blog comment about our last podcast. Thanks as always to everyone that sent comments by email about our last podcast. Although ALL comments are appreciated, commenting directly in this blog is preferred. Thanks as well to all the new members of the bulletin board.

If you are looking at this material on any other site except Photography.ca – Please hop on over to the Photography.ca blog and podcast and get this and other photography info directly from the source. I Subscribe with iTunes I Subscribe via RSS feed I Subscribe with Google Reader I Subscribe for free to the Photography podcast – Photography.ca and get all the posts/podcasts by Email
You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags: camera custom functions, custom functions, customizing your camera, photography

Related posts:

• Camera and grey card exposure example
• 1 bloody good reason to try the camera before you buy
• Multiple Exposure – Podcast teaser

Let your skills rock the everyday scene

As admin of a growing photography website I look at a good 20-100 photographs most days of the week. The quality of work that I look at (both on our site and other websites) normally ranges from photography enthusiast to pro.

One of the things that separates amateurs from advanced amateurs/pros is the ability to create the image rather than waiting for something spectacular to happen or finding it through serendipity. Getting to this level involves 3 key things that are 100% attainable with a few months of regular practice.

1 – You need to understand basic exposure.
2 – You need to understand basic composition
3 – You need to understand basic lighting.

A person that practices all 3 of these things can create great shots from otherwise mundane scenes. IF they are waiting for something to happen (like waiting for great outdoor light),  they make sure they are waiting at the right time.

Sunset landing by Michael Wollen - Click to see larger version.

The image above by forum member michaelaw (real name Michael Wollen ) is a great example. How many times have we looked up at the sky to watch a plane land in the distance. Likely many times. It’s a common scene. Some might even call it banal. But take a look at THIS image. It is carefully crafted – NO accidents here.

Look at the beautiful light in the sky. Michael waited for this light. Look at the position of the plane in the sky. Michael waited to freeze the plane in that exact spot. Look at the landing pad at the lower part of the image, look at the foliage and shimmering water in the immediate foreground. They are there on purpose. They are there, because Michael put them there. Because Michael put them there at the right time,  in the right place, and exposed the image correctly – This photograph sings and is a pleasure to look at.

Practice the 3 basics listed above and you too will be armed with the skills needed to create great photography from commonplace scenes.

Tags: photography

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78 – Winter photography gear

Photography podcast #78 talks about how to enjoy winter photography. Many photographers avoid shooting in the winter because  it’s too cold and they feel uncomfortable. What a huge mistake. There are so many spectacular winter scenes to photograph and the cold can be tamed with the right gear. The majority of the podcast is dedicated to how to keep your entire body warm on a cold winter day. We talk about shooting at different levels of coldness including very cold temperatures like -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F) and colder. We also touch on tips like avoiding condensation and preserving battery power.

Winter photography gear

Links /resources mentioned in this podcast:

Le Baron – Awesome camping/fishing store in MTL. Great products.
SSG Silk Winter Glove Liners at Amazon
Fox River Four Layer Glomitt on Amazon
Polar Ex Glomitt Fleece Mitten/Gloves – Medium-Gray
Gordini Da GORE-TEX-« Goose II Mittens Mens
Heat Max Hot Hands hh2
Lorpen Hunting Extreme Primaloft Socks on Amazon
Toe-sters battery powered foot warmers

February’s song title to photograph assignment on the Photography.ca forum

Please join the Photography.ca fan page on Facebook
My Facebook profile – Feel free to “friend” me – please just mention Photography.ca
My Twitter page – I will follow you if you follow me – Let’s connect – PLEASE email me and tell me who you are in case I don’t reciprocate because I think you are a spammer.

If you are still lurking on our forum,
feel free to join our friendly Photography forum

Thanks to JAS_photo, Micheal van der Tol,  jacklabel, Zenon5940, f8&Bthere, Bambi, Jason, and Fortytwo who posted a blog comment about our last podcast. Thanks as always to everyone that sent comments by email about our last podcast. Although ALL comments are appreciated, commenting directly in this blog is preferred. Thanks as well to all the new members of the bulletin board.

If you are looking at this material on any other site except Photography.ca – Please hop on over to the Photography.ca blog and podcast and get this and other photography info directly from the source. I Subscribe with iTunes I Subscribe via RSS feed I Subscribe with Google Reader I Subscribe for free to the Photography podcast – Photography.ca and get all the posts/podcasts by Email
You can download this photography podcast directly by clicking the preceding link or listen to it almost immediately with the embedded player below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags: winter photography, winter photography gear

Related posts:

• Winter patterns
• Shooting through glass is bad unless…
• February 2010 forum assignment – Photography and Song Titles