Sep 14, 2016 | WRP Ed Zone
There are times when we need a polarizer to remove reflections that when applied, adversely effects the sky. Polarizers work using physics and when it comes to the sky, when those physics aren’t perfect, you see a dark blob in the sky where the polarizer is only effecting part of the sky (2nd image). Seeing this in the viewfinder can be at times, difficult and others, impossible.
One real easy way to see the “Blob” is using the LiveView on your camera. You can see above the simple example. The LCD shows off the “blob” really dramatically making it really easy to see it. But we still need to remove the reflection so what do we do? Using the LiewView, we polarize fully and then slowly rotate the polarizer to “unpolarize” as much as needed to remove the “blob” while maintaining as much reflection removal on the subject. You might be wondering if there is a post processing fix. Sure, but it’s so painful it’s not worth your time IMHO. No, it’s not a perfect solution but it’s the one I turn to. Thought it might help.
Sep 6, 2016 | WRP Ed Zone
The magic that light brings to a scene, a photograph, is always fleeting! It would be nice if it hung around until everything was perfect and those times it does, well you know the rewards that brings. There are times though when you can see the photograph slip away as an obstruction blocks what your passion is screaming to capture. A good example is the gorgeous landscape you’re all set up to take and then just at the right moment, that person walks right into your scene. Know what I’m talking about? You have a couple of options. The one I recommend is just wait as people like that are normally gone within minutes. But if you can’t wait because the magic in the light, then go click and use a tool to deal with it in post. While this seems obvious to some, I’m still surprised how many folks either don’t own Photoshop or won’t use it for this purpose. Now of course, this is your choice because it is your photograph but understand I depend on Photoshop to finish what I see in the viewfinder.
This is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. The sun was rising on this gorgeous 1929 Fairchild 71 in the dew covered grass. As you can see, it’s a gorgeous scene, except the encampment on the left. Now that wasn’t going away anytime soon but the light sure was! I had a couple of options, none of which was forgetting the photograph. The setting was way too magical and I wouldn’t see it again. We were up at sunrise looking for just this type of opportunity so was walking around with the D5 / 70-200f4 AFS and came upon the Fairchild. The light skimming its side, the light on the foreground and the trees in the background all dictated where I was going to stand. Then there was encampment, when I was looking through the viewfinder, I didn’t even see it. Well, that’s to say while I saw it there in the final photograph, it was not there. That’s because I knew of the tool waiting to finish the photograph waiting back in the computer. I did everything else in the viewfinder to finish the photograph but other than taking down that camp, which wasn’t possible, that would have to go in post. Now some have issues with that and that’s OK. For me though, passing up a photo like this just isn’t possible. So for me, Photoshop is a tool, artistically and professionally.
Note: how I did this in post and more can be found in the videos found here.
Aug 23, 2016 | WRP Ed Zone
MP-1 V2
safely and easily in overhead of CRJ-200
Yep, our MP V2 Photopacks fit in all but one overhead compartment (upper deck 747)! Even with lenses like my 800mm and carrying big camera bodies like the D5. In fact, you can fill the photopacks with so much gear, they can weigh over 50lbs (the most I’ve done is 51lbs in testing). I while that still fits in the overhead of a plane, there are still weight limits with our carry-ons. In the US, we don’t sweat out the overhead weight limits (we can’t forget them) but if you travel overseas, watch out! For example in Australia where we just traveled, the limit is 7kg/15lbs for a carry-on. On some domestic flights, carriers literally have a scale at the plane door and you have to weigh your gear right then and there. So while the our bags fit in the overhead, you can seriously overpack them going grossly overweight. What do you do?
First, understand the weight limit is in place for our own safety. Those overhead bins are designed to carry only so much weight. In a crash, they generally come crashing down and what is right below them? Our heads! That being said, start by NOT overpacking your bag! I see photographers with chargers, all their metal attaching plates, heads and other none body / lens gear in their carry-on. I also see lots of photographers bring bodies & lenses that they won’t need on a particular trip. All of this adds up to weight you don’t need to have on your back. Yes, I hear some say this stuff goes missing from their checked luggage. Which is worse, the possibility of that stuff going missing our your having to CHECK you carry-on full of cameras and lenses? Next, I walk with my MP-1 V2 using only one shoulder strap (the 2nd is tucked away). It simply looks lighter and appearances are everything. Finally, I am always wearing a smile because that is still the best thing for dealing with issues. So, keep the weight of your carry-on down within limits, because even if our bags fit the overheads always wear a smile and remember that carry-on still has limits.
Aug 5, 2016 | Moose Adventures
We have a couple of openings in our upcoming workshops
Sept 09-11 ’16 K&M AirAdventure ND 1 spot
Sept 30 -Oct 02 ’16 Mono Lake Weekend, CA 2 spots
Nov 01-06 ’16 TX Coastal Bird Photography FULL
Mar 15-20 ’17 FL Bird Photography 2 spots
April 03-07 ’17 Grouse & Chicken 1 spot
26-30 June ’17 Madera Cyn, AZ 1 spot
Our workshops are limited to a small group to provide you one on one instruction as you shoot, while you shoot, in the vehicle (we call drive together), at meals and during breaks. One of the many challenges is knowing the question you want to ask to get the answer you need to help you. All this time together provides you the opportunity to get that answer and so much more. Come, join us for fun, learning and great shooting! Call Sharon today 661.204.1506!
Aug 2, 2016 | WRP Ed Zone
Light, it’s such an important and potent partner in our storytelling. The subject has to smack the viewer between the eyes in our photograph and light is a quick and effective way of making this happen. We have two basic lighting sources, ambient (sun) and artificial (flash, LED, etc). Ambient light can come in different flavors like full sun, overcast, etc., and each one of these cause us to make judgement calls about the quality and quantity of the ambient light in regards to our subject and storytelling. Here comes the issue we all face, when working with ambient light, when does it need the assist of the flash? What are the qualities and quantities of the ambient light in telling our story and are they sufficient to move the eye through the frame to tell the story? Ever been in this situation?
RAF Reinactors
captured by D5, 24-70VR, no flash
These RAF Reinactors at EAA AirVenture were killer! Not just their authentic aviator’s gear was spotless, their accents and knowledge impeccable, but they were hilarious! When they arrived at the Texas Flying Legends Museum Spitfire, they came in rare form ready to be photographed. The weather wasn’t doing us any favors though, it had rained and was now sprinkling. Now here are times when overcast light can be a great light for shooting but in this case as you can see in the lower photo, the jocularity is lost. Ya, you can see detail, the subjects and the story, but what about the storytelling? That’s where the light, its quality and character is so important. So, what do you do in this dilemma? If you don’t know from experience, shoot both, with and without flash. But I suggest you don’t go into these kinds of situations not knowing. You do your test before you’re in this pickle. In this case, when I got the D5, 24-70VR, SB-5000 I got my stuffed animal model stand ins out setting them up in various lighting conditions and shot my tests. This is essential. Why? In the case of the reinactors, I walked up and got involved in the drop of a hat. There was no getting in place early, putting stand ins in place, shooting tests so when the reinactors arrived, everything was dialed in. I had to look at the ambient light, know that I wanted to dial in -1 in the body to underexpose the sky to look even more like England, shoot the SB-5000 at 0, get down low with a relatively shallow DoF and make the click. In the final image, the gents on the far right will be removed and that’s all that will be needed in post. So when you go click with that camera, make sure you go Bang – Light!
Jul 13, 2016 | WRP Ed Zone
There is a great warchest of information created just for YOU and you might not know it exists. Nikon put all of us USA Ambassadors in a small room with a video camera (just that sounds entertaining if not nuts!) and asked for 30sec photographic tips. You simply head to an individual’s page and click on their mugs shots. Even yours truly has two tips there for you. As you watch them, just think about how they were filmed. Ambassadors crammed in a small room, all staring at you while you talked on camera. Someone has a helluva bloopers reel somewhere! Enjoy!
Note: If you have other questions such as about registration and other Photoshop World needs, please contact KelbyOne. I’m just the host of this merry band, not the logistics guy :-)
