Archive for Make Better Photographs – Page 37

The Exploration of Benson Mines

Located at the intersection of NY 3 and County Route 60, Benson Mines in Star Lake New York, produced so much iron ore that in 1958, it became the largest open pit iron ore mine in the world. The plant was so productive that the local railroad built rail lines directly to the plant. Benson mines closed in 1978, costing an estimated 1200 jobs, and has been abandoned ever since.

Read More→

Shooting A Beautiful Bridal Portrait Session

We’ve all seen it. We walk into a studio or a wedding show and we see the most beautiful bridal portrait in a setting you have never seen in a pose you never thought to use. The bride looks so wistful and full of hope. So beautiful and elegant. You stare at the photo just wondering what they are thinking. That is a great photo. It is what you want to achieve with your own photography. You want people to stand in awe of your work, wondering, day dreaming, envious. So how can you create that one of a kind photo in your own work?

Well to be honest, you either have it or you don’t. Simple as that. Creativity cannot be taught but it can be molded, honed, skillfully polished to help you create wondrous beauty. Many of us are naturally gifted in that we can see an image in something that no one else can and thus make it a masterpiece. Others take time to develop that skill. To be able to think on our own and develop the intuition needed to create wonder. While I cannot teach you how to be great I can give you some pointers on how to start the process. How do you create a beautiful photo for a bride? You give her what she wants. Read More→

Photography 101: Three Tips For Sharper Images

I received a question via a comment asking about how to get sharper images. I want to address that question now with a few tips that you can easily do without breaking the bank. Let us get on with the show!

1. Get stabilized
One easy way to get sharper images is to remove the human element from the camera. What I mean is you need to stop holding the camera. Camera shake can quickly kill sharpness, even with the best lens stabilization/vibration reduction systems. This is where so many photographers swear by good tripods. However, what do you do if you do not like having to lug a tripod everywhere you go?

I am one of those in hand, natural light shooters. I do not mind using a tripod; it is just not my preferred method of capturing images. I use my environment as my tripod. Find a flat rock, use a board, or even rest your camera on a rail. What you want to do is get as stable as you possibly can, while keeping yourself and gear safe. I will not recommend resting your camera on a rail, setting the self-timer, and running off. That is just asking for broken gear. What I will do is rest the camera body on a rail, while I hold it to take the photo. This removes my body sway, breathing, and some of my arm shake from the equation.

Another way to remove yourself is to use a remote. If your camera does not have a remote, use the self-timer. This setup is only enhanced when using a good tripod. You can get your camera into position, dial in your settings, and then trigger the shutter without ever having to hold the camera. Read More→

Finding Your Feet: The Special Three: by Jacob Lucas

Thanks for diving into this third part in my “Finding Your Feet” series. In case you need a re-cap,

– Part One: Getting Started In Photography
– Part Two: Choosing Your Camera

This post is going to cover three crucial camera settings that you’ll need to know to start photographing effectively to meet your vision. Often referred to as the exposure triangle, these settings are ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. At first glance, they appear quite technical but once I took the time to read about them and understand them they actually became almost second nature to me – just like breathing or blinking. These three settings relate to one another very much in an almost symbiotic circle – what happens to one impacts the other in some fashion.

JFL_4687

ISO 200, f/2, 1/250th of a second

Read More→

What Abandoned Places Can Teach You About Photography

Taking photos of abandoned places can teach you an enormous number of specialized skills that are generally not taught in a traditional classroom setting. This article will highlight the most important skills you can achieve simply by photographing abandoned places and buildings, which can help enhance the quality of other types of photography.

I must again emphasize that safety and legality are foremost, and neither should be overlooked simply for photographic pursuits. More about legal and safety considerations can be found in this post.

Framing

Abandoned Industrial Mine (8)

If you think that framing is something that happens when a photo is hung on a wall, you are mistaken. When a photographer takes a picture, special consideration must be given to how that picture will be viewed even if it were held in someones hand, for example. This above shot was taken with the chain link fence out of focus with the doors and windows in perfect focus. The fence wire gives the feeling of abandonment and desolation. Read More→

3 Things to Consider when it comes to Senior Photography

In the last article, I addressed both the importance and the enjoyment of senior photography. To me there are three things to consider before moving forward and making senior photography a major part of your business.

1) Are you LAZY? – The class of 2011 has had me lying on my back at night photographing in the middle of Times Square, dodging waves off the coast of Florida, and looking out for snakes in a creek with a senior from Tennessee. This past weekend I photographed a high school senior who flew in with her family from New Jersey. I photographed her, edited her images, and had them ready to view and order in one afternoon. Read More→