Category Archives: Advice

Advice

Buying photo editing software

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The number of photo editing applications available are staggering. Do you even know any of them well? Did you know there are actually free ones available too?
The number of photo editing applications available are staggering. Do you even know any of them well? Did you know there are actually free ones available too?

Who bought more photo junk? Film photographers or digital photographers?

I may be among the minority here, but I think the introduction of digital photography introduced more junk for folks to buy.

In the software end alone, you probably don’t need to look hard to see for example, the number of plug-ins and Photoshop Actions and Lightroom presets that are being sold today.

But before you buy, Mac users please check to see if your software is compatible with your operating system.

Basically anything to make it a one-click sells. Continue reading Buying photo editing software →

Advice

Match your lifestyle,personality and interest with your photo genre

Every specialty or genre of photography whether it is landscapes, wildlife, fashion, editorial, events, or sports has its very own definite challenges.

If it’s not having to deal with needing specialized equipment, then it’s the logistical problem of getting access or else finding the various elements of the photo shoot and making sure all the components from models, props and equipment arrives on location at a designated time.

In other words, what they all do have in common is really problem-solving once you get past the rudimentary skills of using the camera and equipment.

So before you head down a certain path of specializing and buying a ton of equipment, perhaps you should consider if your current lifestyle will be a good match for your area of interest. Continue reading Match your lifestyle,personality and interest with your photo genre →

Advice

Taking pictures in the rain

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Raindrops captured on my macro lens at f22 for against someone holding a red umbrella and uncluttered background leaves no ambiguity as to what sort of day we are having.
Raindrops captured on my macro lens at f22 for against someone holding a red umbrella and uncluttered background leaves no ambiguity as to what sort of day we are having.

Rain in southern California is disorienting for a lot of folks.

Motorists may be lax about traffic laws and often defy them, but the laws of physics cannot be ignored so traffic collisions abound during even the slightest downpours.

As a news photographer, working in the elements was a given.

In fact, the first rains of the season often brought out the competitiveness in all the staff photographers vying to come back with the best weather-related picture.

To the winner went the cover the next day and bragging rights.

Continue reading Taking pictures in the rain →

Advice

Advice for the grade conscious photo students

Andreas Gursky’s photo Rhine II–auctioned for $4million +

I procrastinate, I drag my feet  when I have to grade student’s photos.

Don’t misunderstand me, it’s not because I’m lazy.

I find assigning a letter grade to a picture extremely  arbitrary at times.

You don’t agree?

Would you pay $4,338,500 for this picture?

Well, the picture on the left has the distinction of being the world’s most expensive photograph ever to sold at an auction.

Maybe you might consider this version to be worth more?

If I were Andreas Gursky, I would run all the way to the bank as fast as I can to cash the check.

I’d be worried the buyer changed their mind after suffering a bout of buyer’s remorse. Continue reading Advice for the grade conscious photo students →