Category Archives: Photography

Photography

Photographing Animals at your Local Zoo Part1

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A mountain lion takes a drink in its enclosure. This picture was taken through a thick glass. I was so close, I could almost hear her purr.

We all have dreams of going on a safari in Africa.

But how many of us have the deep pockets or the time to do this?

So a trip to your local zoo to photograph the animals may have to do for now. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • a long telephoto lens (300mm and longer)
  • a monopod
  • a cart for your gear

If you don’t have a long telephoto lens, you can rent one from Borrow Lenses or if you happen to live in the Los Angeles area, you can head to Samys Camera.

Getting close is often your biggest problem. This image of a big horn sheep was taken with a 300 mm lens on a Canon 40D which has a cropped sensor, so the effective focal length was 480 mm (300 x 1.6) yet he appears small and hard to differentiate from his surroundings.

lens rental
I like Borrow Lenses because you don’t even have to leave your home.

They ship it to you.

And when it’s time to return it, you drop it off at Fedex.

With today’s gas prices, the less I have to drive, the better. Continue reading Photographing Animals at your Local Zoo Part1 →

Photography

More Tips for Improving Your Photography

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Keep an open mind

I have to remind myself to take my own advice on this on occasion.

Just because I don’t use a certain technique like HDR, it doesn’t mean I should’t learn how to use it.

I usually photograph people and HDR is mostly for subjects that don’t move since you’ll be bracketing.

That’s not to say the next time I’m on vacation, I won’t come across a scene that is so majestic that it begs to be shot with HDR.

Rent a new piece of equipment

lens rental
It’s always good to find new ways to capture our world.

That might mean renting an exotic lens like a super long telephoto or a super wide angle, or even a lighting kit like a battery operated flash.

Rental places like Borrow don’t even need you to leave the house, only when you return the equipment.

Read photo books even older ones

Just because a book is outdated, that doesn’t mean you can’t glean something useful.

In today’s world of fast changing versions of software and digital camera bodies we sometimes loose track of what makes a good picture.

I just bought a Photoshop CS2 book for $7.

It’s ancient in photoshop version years but the shooting tips from the photographer is still relevant because light and the very principles of how the camera record it have remained the same. Continue reading More Tips for Improving Your Photography →

Photography

Photoshop and political campaigns

If I were to ever run for office, I wouldn’t stand a chance. I certainly couldn’t see myself juxtaposed against some unsuspecting person who doesn’t know me, that’s why.

With the US elections just around the corner, we’ve been inundated with political flyers and mailers.

Relax, this is not getting political.

It does make me wonder about the ethics of using photoshop in political campaigns.

It’s disturbing to see a photographer’s rights being trampled.

Why do politicians think it’s okay to use their candidates likeness in any shape of form? Continue reading Photoshop and political campaigns →

Photography, Tutorials

How to photograph a fruit-themed still life against banana leaves

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fruit themed still life photographed against banana leaves
A papaya, banana, pineapple, coconut, watermelon photographed against banana leaves in my messy garage. A $10 budget production.

Photographing a fruit-themed still life against banana leaves

In college I never understood the obsession  my photo-Illustration classmates had with surfaces.

They practically lived in the studio.

They spent hours learning how to light, pick props, arrange those props on a backdrop of some sort.

They often reshot again and again each time consulting with their instructor.

Sometimes it would be around a theme, other times they would be working on an ad for a fictitious product.

I remember one particular fellow who combed flea markets, thrift stores and junkyards for flat pieces of wood, strange plexiglass and other odd flat objects.

Over time, the communal studio became a pigsty because no one wanted to throw those treasures out. Continue reading How to photograph a fruit-themed still life against banana leaves →