Nov 8, 2017 | Landscape Photography
“What lens should I use?” “What exposure comp should I use?” “Where should I put the horizon line?” Where should I put the sun?” These and many more are all essential questions you MUST ask yourself before you take your photo because you can’t “fix” them in post no matter what file format you use. What’s the guide you should be using in answering these and more questions about your photograph? It’s the light, the light is what makes or breaks your photograph and moves the eye through the frame! While the answer might be just one word, light, it’s a helluva a word that has all the complications and power challenging our photography. Here’s an example that might aid you in the future.
There are a lot of elements going on in this photo. The first thing you might notice is the sun, the subject, is dead center. Oh no … I broke that rule so many say you can’t do! Guess what, centered is our strongest composition, when, when all the elements in the frame support it. In this case, the light all brings the eye down to the center of the frame, from the top and the bottom. But the bottom had to be brought to life in post (see before image below). Even though the D850 has great dynamic range, it still has a limit (this is a 8stop photo) but knowing that about your camera it’s a snap to overcome. I simply used Luminar 2018, my own ProcontactSplit preset which with one click, produced what you see. But knowing all the tools in play, from camera to post, are essential when you organize your elements in the frame and go click. I feel it’s essential to know all of this when you make that photo because when you do, you’re using light to move the eye through the frame and therefore, telling your story. Interested in learning more about this, perhaps intrigued and confused at the same time? Well, I just so happen to have a KelbyOne Class on this very topic which goes through it all much deeply. You need to have this in your head and heart before you go click.
Nov 8, 2017 | Landscape Photography
I have many sayings, this one is one of my originals. The Worst weather can make for the best photography! I’ll admit I’m really odd but shooting in bad weather is something I actually seek. There are lots of reasons for this, the main one is I love the mood, drama and romance mother nature creates without our having to do anything other than witness it. And in that process, connect with the light, the romance so we bring that into our photographs. This is where it gets difficult for some because there is first the fear for their camera gear and second, the discomfort for themselves. I have a really simple rule of thumb I use when making this all work. If I can tolerate the rain, so can my gear. So it all starts with ourselves. My go-to jacket in this scenario is the Carhartt Shoreline Jacket because it is bulletproof and has giant pockets. After that, it’s up to gear and shooting.
It’s really quite simple now with the D850 with its ability to easily focus through the Breakthrough 6D filter (in this case with the 24-70VR). It had no problem working with the 6stop ND filter nor the rain. I wanted to tell the story of the storm so went with the long exposure. This meant the rig was in the rain for over an hour getting soaked. Care was simple, I continually plotted the rig dry, DID NOT WIPE it dry, plotted with a clean, dry, white towel. I used the same towel to constantly dry off the water drops on the filter because removing those spots in post is a bear. The last bit of this equation is the knowledge that after you capture those amazing photos, you have a warm, dry place to savor the victory over the weather. But if you never venture out, you’ll never know if the worst weather can …
Nov 2, 2017 | Landscape Photography
The pulse of the sea, it’s so romantic it constantly draws me back! How to bring its sea spray, coolness, sounds, and smells to my photograph? That is always the challenge I feel. I think I got closer this morning.
I started with the D850 / 70-200f4 / WR-R10 on a tripod. I then turned to an old friend, Multiple Exposure. I shot about fifteen images to get one with the “life” I wanted in the waves. Then I ran the image through ACR, Luminar 2018 and Tonality (using my own Presets) and boom, I got an image I really love. I can smell it now!
Oct 27, 2017 | Landscape Photography
The photo was all T’d up, all I had to do was get down the slippery boardwalk to make the click. The warm colors of the thermal set against the cold blue sky just suck me in. Not the most powerful of photos, I still love it because in one click the warmth that comes from being in Yellowstone inside your heart hits the reality of the cold air freezing your finger tips. Perfect morning!
Oct 27, 2017 | Wildlife Photography
Spotted Towhee
captured by D5 / 800mm
There are two types of photographs, memories, to me, those for the refrigerator and those that go out to the world. The difference being is those that go on the refrigerator and the personal memories, the ones where only we understand the inside story so for the most part, there is no story other than that inside knowledge. This photo goes on the frig and is here only to illustrate my point. Sharon and I love the fall because a group of birds always move through the property. One is the Spotted Towhee. We only have them for a couple of weeks but we celebrate it! This year they were around when we had a splattering of snow. This one photo sums that up great for us. But unless I told that story, the only real true attribute the photo has going for it is, it’s sharp. That’s not enough to share with the world so it’s only to go to the refrigerator gallery.
Oct 20, 2017 | Wildlife Photography
I had the itch to spend some time with my birds. So I set up the D850 / 800mm on a bird bath where I could work on the computer and shoot. I actually had a great time, photographed over a dozen species and made a couple of images I really like. What I love seeing in the photographs was the dramatic change in the light. Over the couple of hours, the light on the birds and the background really changed, changing the entire photo. What you see below is Cassin’s Finch, Red-breasted, White-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatch, male & female Red-shafted Flicker, White-headed Woodpecker, Evening Grosbeak and Stellar’s Jay. I just love my birds!
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