Yesterday, we took pictures of children visiting with Santa over at Harmon Elementary (Dawn's old school). Here's a favorite. Aren't they just precious?
Intro DSLRs under $500
Our friends over at Photography Bay put together a just terrific blogpost highlighting several DSLRs that are currently available for under $500. If you are thinking about making the jump to a DSLR (from point and shoot or film or from nothing at all!) but you don't want all the expense and know that you don't necessarily need every single bell and whistle at this point in your photographic education, these are just great choices. And, although I know far too well that $500 is by no means cheap, it is a substantial discount from the prices of the majority of worthwhile DSLRs.
Check out the post and keep these in mind for yourself or for holiday gift-giving. Also, any of these would be a swell choice for anyone taking my Basics of Digital Photography class in Gilbert next month (Wednesday evenings, January 6, 13, and 20!).
p & s and video guide
MSNBC put together a nice little shopping guide to consumer cameras, specifically point-and-shoot and pocket HD video (with a Polaroid wannabe thrown in to round out the field). Take a peek if you're shopping for yourself or someone special for the holidays. Of this batch, I'm partial to the Canon G11 and the Flip Video MinoHD. Let me know what catches your eye and why.
shutter speed/aperture simulator
In a most basic sense, cameras handle exposure through shutter speed (how long the shutter stays open) and aperture (how wide or narrow the hole that admits light is).
In today's digital environment you can also affect exposure with ISO (the adjustable sensitivity of your camera's sensor) and and variety of light modifying options (from on- or off-camera speedlites, off-camera strobes, hotlights, reflectors, etc., etc.) and of course, some manipulation of your ambient light situation.
It is important to understand the basics of shutter speed and aperture before anything else. They not only affect the brightness or darkness of your image, but also your ability to quell motion blur, and, perhaps most importantly, depth of field, especially of backgrounds.
I just stumbled across this terrific little shutter speed and aperture simulator to give you a nice introduction to how they can affect each other dramatically. Play with it for a few minutes, trying different combinations and then get that camera in hand and go shooting!
free image editing software apps
Terrific list (and reviews) of free image editing software. If you just don't need the expense or all the bells and whistles of Photoshop, you might want to check some of these out. What have you got to lose? They're FREE!
leopard seal experience
National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen has quite an amazing "fish" tale, as it were, here. Enjoy!
boudoir posing tips
Southern Maryland wedding and boudoir photographer Robin Owen has a simply terrific blogpost about boudoir posing tips . Check out the images, the tips, and be sure to give her a call if you need wedding or boudoir photography in the Maryland area!
to those who serve
If you are currently in the United States military or if you have ever served, in peace-time or in a conflict, I thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your dedication to preserving the freedoms that we enjoy. Freedoms that we have enjoyed for so long that they are sometimes taken for granted. Thank you, veterans!
McNally's letter to a young photog
Check out Joe McNally's "letter to a young photographer". That Joe has a way with words, he do.
ryan takes up photography
http://www.thousandandonewords.com/
hyperfocal distance
What is hyperfocal distance? It is a technique wherein you focus about a third of the way into your scene in order that everything in the image is relatively, and usually just about equally, sharp.
Check out this terrific and detailed explanation of hyperfocal distance and then get out and get those landscapes!
frankencamera
Some of the swell scientist types over at Stanford are working on an open-source camera that has the potential to add tons of new features to digital photography. Affectionately called the Frankencamera, this could dramatically change the course the photography evolution. For better or worse, the jury is out. Take a look.
photography basics classes in Gilbert (by me!)
This winter, I will be teaching a couple of classes for Gilbert Community Education. There will be a "How to Buy a Digital Camera" class in November, for folks shopping for the holidays and again in January for folks looking to spend the cash they received for the holidays.
Then....THEN.....drumroll, please..... there will be a "Basics of Digital Photography" class! A three session class in November covering as much ground as I can cover in three 2-hour sessions and then we repeat it again in January (for all those folks who just got a camera for Christmas!).
http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/eservices/parks/default.cfm click on blue “Winter 2009-10 Leisure Pursuits” icon to see full catalog of classes.
http://www.gilbertrecreation.com/Start/Start.asp?SCheck=615463371&SDT=40093.7180651273 This is the jumping off page to register for classes.
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BASICS OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY $89.00
Would you like to shoot fewer “snapshots” and more photographs worth showing off? Learn about composition, exposure, tips and tricks of technique, and an introduction to lighting. Photo critiques as time permits. 18+YEARS
Course # 54385 / Tuesdays Nov. 10, 17 & 24, 2009, 6:30-8:30pm /
or
Course # 54386 / Wednesdays Jan. 6, 13, & 20, 2010, 6:30-8:30pm / McQueen Park Activity Center, Classroom 4 (
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HOW TO BUY A DIGITAL CAMERA $40.00
Is it time for a new digital camera for yourself or as a gift? Learn about megapixels, file formats, and the mysterious ISO. You’ll obtain a working knowledge of features and pros and cons before you shop. 18+YEARS
Course # 54387 / Monday 11/9/09, 6:30-8pm /
or
Hope you can make it! I feel like Ted Mosby in his Architecture 101 class!
Irving Penn, RIP
Irving Penn, renowned fashion and celebrity photography died today in Manhattan at the age of 92.
magazines of the future????
This has already been featured on a couple other photographers' blogs, but it is far too interesting, conceptually, to not post here, also. My readers, who may not see it elsewhere, might find this very cool. I wonder about the value of video in individual books or magazines when we each have, or will likely have in the future, our own computer, tv, or iphone kind of device, but it still makes for an excellent video.
Check out Alexx Henry's vision of the future of the magazine.
Living Magazine Cover & Spread - Outside Magazine from Alexx Henry on Vimeo.
a love story in a thriller
Megan + Narbeh's Sweden Thriller Concept "Snow" from PACIFIC PICTURES on Vimeo.
Zeke Kamm wrote at Nice Photography Magazine : "Kevin Shahinian was hired to make the following short film for a couple to show at the reception after their wedding. The couple play themselves in the video that creatively retells the story of how they met."This is just a wonderful concept and execution. Simply beautiful and moving.
informative article link
MyDeeJay.com has put together a very informative article about how to hire a wedding photographer. Lots of info from industry professionals as well as a list of good questions and issues to address with a potential vendor. Take a look, bookmark it, then, of course, feel free to call or write me with any questions! 480-252-2787 or Ron@RonWarrenPhotography.com
Thank You!
week of the panos
Another angle on the ol' Supersition Mtns. Click for larger, then scroll left and right!
Supersition Mountain Panoramic
Shot this panoramic picture in the Superstition Mountains this morning. We had a short hike and we didn't even have to call for a helicopter rescue! Click on the picture to see it larger.
ATV accident in the wash (San Tan Valley)
Yesterday, over by Dawn's school there was some sort of an accident with one or two people riding ATV's in the wash (sort of a valley for rain waters to travel and steer clear of the homes -- the desert doesn't absorb the rain very efficiently on the rare occasion that it does rain). Just a couple of shots of the rescue effort.
Zack Arias Shooting Strangers
Zack Arias recently self-assigned portraits of strangers on the streets of New York. Go see the portraits at his site at www.zarias.com. Whether it's strangers, rocks, machinery or whatever, a self-assigned photo project is a great idea. Whatever keeps you shooting. Here's a little video of Zack's experience with his impromptu subjects.
At Work
Reading Annie Leibovitz's At Work. Lots of folks think she's the bomb, others think she's over-rated. Some think the conceptual stuff is too (pretentious, obvious, silly, etc. etc.) while others defend her every move as genius. I've also seen a lot of press (both negative and sympathetic) about her current financial problems.
I happen to be in the camp that she is, perhaps not genius, but solid, creative, and certainly determined to be at the heart of things. Some of that may have been luck, but I'm sure most of stems from her skill, her adventurous nature, and knowing the right people.
There is no denying that sheer opportunity has been a big plus for her. Working w/ Jagger, John Lennon (on the day of his death, no less), Hunter S. Thompson, Streep, Belushi, Sharpton, Jimmy Carter, William S. Burroughs, Patti Smith, Jack White, Robert Penn Warren, and the Queen of England to name just a bunch is simply amazing. The access, the approach, and the execution have to be acknowledged as an impressive body of work, even if you don't particularly like her images. And I generally do. Pick up At Work. The stories behind the images are a great read.
shooting owls is a hoot
Got this fellow about an hour ago in the wash at Desert Mountain Park at Ocotillo and Hawes...
hd vid on the Canon 7D
A still from a swell little movie ( http://vimeo.com/groups/22589/videos/6475938 )
shot on the new Canon 7D at 1080p at 24fps by Philip Bloom.
shot on the new Canon 7D at 1080p at 24fps by Philip Bloom.
safari hut
Went shooting at the zoo today. And what was the most interesting thing I saw there? Well, it wasn't an animal. It was this odd little room that I have decided to call the Safari Hut. It is steeped in mystery, indeed.
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