We live just three blocks from the town center so we can walk or ride our bikes to nearly anything we need. Despite it being just a few blocks in size, the Wayne town center has so much to offer. The Wayne train station provides convenient access up and down the Main Line and to Philadelphia. Laments auto service is the best. We love Outthere Outfitters for their superb selection of outdoor apparel and accessories. There is even a Trek Bike store in town, and Wayne Sporting Goods has what we need in a pinch. 118 North has live music. It's easy to grab a bite at Christopher's or Paola's and follow it up with an ice cream at the Wayne Bar. I would be remiss not to mention the crew at Do it Best Hardware down the road...they've got everything along with the best service.

Grabbing a movie is also cinch at Anthony Wayne Theater. This iconic landmark is the centerpiece of the town. It has a rich history that started on June 20th, 1928. It has gone through many changes and owners over the years, but it still has a charming feel to it made only better by the ability to walk into town and grab a bite and movie. Here is a link to a more detailed history of the theater. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10430

In this image, the early evening glow of the theater's lights complemented with colorful evening sky make this one of my personal favorites.

I will offer prints of this image in a limited edition run of just five + artist’s proof. If you’re interested, please contact me john@johnguillaume.com or click HERE for convenient online ordering.

Thanks for visiting.

Best,

JG

www.johnguillaume.com

Going into this shot, I knew I wanted to capture the flow of the crashing waves and the back and forth of the swash. To do this, I need to dial-in my shutter speed, just right, to get some movement in the waves but still show their form. I tested a few shutter speeds and settled on .8 seconds. I used a 6-stop ND filter, and as the light faded, I bumped my ISO up to 200 to keep my shutter speed dialed-in.

Here is the resulting image.

As I said, it's been done before, but now its been done by me ;-) Capturing the last light on the Golden Gate bridge is an experience I'll never forget. I can't wait to do it again!

Best,

JG

Prints available at www.johnguillaume.com

Both Avalon and Stone Harbor are fantastic places for vacation. The main attraction, the beaches, and shoreline are sublime for family beach fun, swimming, and surfing. The sand is soft and the water is a comfortable temperature in the summer and fall months. This area has been a go-to for us ever since we moved to the Philadelphia area.

It was Friday the 27th. As usual, I was up before the sunrise to capture some images but, this day, I did not go to the shoreline. I grabbed an extra-large Wawa dark roast and explored the marshy areas of the bay. After shooting a few images and enjoying the sunrise, I headed back to our rental to get ready to go for a run.

It was about 8am when I headed out. The tide was low and I decided to run on the beach. Even though the sun had long since risen, it wasn't too hot because of an ultra-thick layer of fog. I ran two and a half miles south and returned back for a total of five. It was now 9am...not typically considered the best time for photography.

However, when I finished my run, I saw a scene that was too perfect not to be captured.

The thick layer of fog had persisted on the ocean side during my run...I wasn't able to see but 200ft in front of me. Sitting next to the lifeguard stand where three colored beach chairs and a drawn umbrella where an ambitious family had staked out their piece of beachfront real-estate. Most importantly...there was nothing else! The usually busy beaches were quiet. I had to capture this image.

I ran back to the house, grabbed my gear as quickly as I could, threw it on my back, and jumped on my bike, pedaling furiously back to the beach. My daughter Sam, thought I was nuts by the way - Luv u :-).

When I arrived it was still as perfect as when I saw it. I located the ideal spot for the composition, quickly assembled the tripod, and dialed in my camera settings. Breathe...take the shot. Take another for good measure. Wait a minute...there are people entering the frame at the same time from either side...wait, wait, wait, click!

I knew I got a good shot but didn't pay too much attention to it at that moment because there were other compositions to consider as well. I took a few more images and headed back home where I met the fam.

After spending some time at the beach that afternoon, I uploaded the images to my laptop and started looking at the digital negatives, I came across this one and was personally blown away...I knew immediately it was one of my favorites of the year. Now, having looked at it dozens of times for the past month, I can confidently place it as one of my favorite images, ever. I simply love it.

It just all came together that Friday...the minimalist scene, the simple color palette, the atmosphere, the beach-goers, the perfectly situated beach chairs, and umbrella...all at once, serendipitously. Part luck...absolutely but I was prepared and a acted on it. That's how I got the shot.

If you're interested in this image for your home or office, I am making prints available in a limited edition run of just 25. Click HERE for more information.

Until next time.

Best,

John

1. GET YOUR CAMERA SETUP CORRECTLY: I used Manual mode in this video to manually adjust my shutter speed and aperture that were ideal for freezing action and blurring the background. In this case 1/1000th of a second and f.4. If you’re uncomfortable using Manual mode, then consider using Shutter Priority mode which gives you control of your shutter speed while letting the camera figure out the rest of the settings. Also, put your camera on burst mode which will enable it to take as many frames per second as possible. Taking multiple frames increases your chances of getting the timing just right.

2. USE ONE OR A FEW AUTOFOCUS POINTS: Your camera may have 20 or even 300 autofocus points on the screen. Adjust them to either one or just a few and track your subject with them until you’re ready to take the shot. This gives you control of what is in focus rather than the camera deciding and will increase your chances of getting a sharp shot of your son or daughter.

3. ANTICIPATE THE ACTION: If you see your son waving for the ball and he’s open, point your camera towards him and wait for the ball to arrive and the click-away. If the ball is up in the air and the players are gathering below, pre-focus on the players and wait for the ball to enter the frame. Trying to track the play real-time can be daunting and difficult to consistently get correct focus. By anticipating where the action will be you’ll consistently get more keepers.

4. AVOID UGLY AND DISTRACTING BACKGROUNDS:  Porta-Potties, garbage cans, and parking lots are not pretty. Move around the field to find angles that will minimize background clutter or something interesting that tells a story - perhaps the parents in the sidelines or a tournament banner.

For more in-depth descriptions of sports photography, shutter speed, and aperture follow the links to each.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments, below. If you found this helpful please share this post with your friends and family.

Make it a great day!

JG

Check out my new online store at www.johnguillaume.com/gallery

www.johnguillaume.com

with your iPhone you don't any of that stuff...long exposures are dead simple. 

Check out this image (see below) I shot of the Avalon Fishing Pier using my iPhone 7 Plus. Notice how the waves and surf have been blurred giving the image a surreal look while keeping the main subject - the pier - sharp and in focus. Pretty cool, right! Now, compare this photo to the original photo (no long exposure effect applied) at the bottom of this post. The long exposure effect changes the feeling of the photograph a lot. 

I posted a super short, how-to video on Instagram TV - check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/BlqytwIAwA_/

Here are a few requirements and tips to make this work: 

1. You need iOS 11 or greater - this has been around for awhile now...if in don't you probably already have it installed. 
2. You need to have Live View turned on - in the Camera app, it's the wheel-looking icon on the top center of your screen if holding it vertically. 
3. The scene must have some elements that are moving (e.g. water) and others that are static (e.g. the Pier) 
4. Hold as still as possible when taking the image. 

There you have it - long exposure on your iPhone without all the hassles of a traditional camera. 

If you like this post, I would be grateful if you share it with your friends and give it a like. If you have questions, please comment below or email me at john@johnguillaume.com

If you want see some of my fine-art photos using the long exposure technique, jump to my gallery HERE

Best,

JG

www.johnguillaume.com

If you're intent is to freeze fast-moving subjects, consider using Shutter Priority. This mode is designated on the camera's mode dial as 'Tv' on Canon and 'S' on most other cameras. In this mode, you, the photographer have full control of how fast the shutter opens and closes while leaving other settings like aperture and ISO up to the camera. How fast the shutter opens and closes is called ‘shutter speed.’ Shutter speed is measured in seconds or fractions of a second such as 1/800 (of a second). Shutter Priority is best when you need to capture a fast-moving child, an athlete, a motorcycle or bird. In these cases, you’ll be using shutter speeds ranging from 1/250th to 1/3000th of a second. The faster your subject the faster the required shutter speed. 

 good shutter speed targets:

Remember, the shutter speed also impacts the amount of light that your camera’s sensor receives. So, at 1/3000th of a second, you're not letting a lot of light onto your camera's sensor, so you’ll need a good amount of ambient light (and a fast lens - such a maximum aperture of f2.8 or faster) to capture an image with the proper exposure. In the absence of great light, however, your camera will compensate automatically by increasing the ISO value (ISO impacts the camera sensor's sensitivity to light). While there isn't anything inherently wrong with this, you should be aware that ISO values above 800-ish will start to introduce noticeable grain into your image. However, if a high ISO is what it takes to get the shot, then do it...sometimes you just don't have a choice. 

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section below. 

If you enjoyed this post please give it a like and a share. 

Best,

JG

See my latest fine art photography here: www.johnguillaume.com 

Follow me on Instagram - www.instagram.com/john_guillaume

Aperture Priority is ideal for portraits, group shots, family, travel and landscapes photos.

The Aperture is the hole in the camera’s lens. The size of the hole influences how much light hits the camera’s sensor. Not surprisingly, a larger opening allows more light to reach the sensor. More often than not, this is a good thing because light is needed to create photographs. The opposite is true for smaller openings.  Aperture values are read out in f-stop numbers such as f1.8, f.2.8, f4, and all the way up to f22 (further in some cases). The smaller the f-stop value, the bigger the opening while larger f-stop values shrink the opening resulting in less light hitting the sensor but creating greater depth of field.  Let me explain further.

Depth of field is used to describe how much or little the photograph is in focus. A shallow depth of field can be demonstrated in a portrait where the background behind the person is blurred while the subject remains in focus. The opposite effect can be produced as well where there is a lot of depth of field meaning everything in the image is in focus...even the background which, is often desired in landscape or vacation photos.

To see how aperture affects an image, click through the images shown in this post. Notice how the background changes from a blur to being in focus as the aperture values increase. The pictures shot at f1.8 and f2.8 demonstrate a shallow depth of field. While the last couple shot at f16 or f22 demonstrate a lot of depth of field. Also, notice how the ISO jumps from 100 at f1.8 and up to 6400 at f22. This is because as the f-stop values increase, less light is being allowed into the camera which then automatically compensates with higher ISO values. ISO is a digital effect that increases the sensor's sensitivity to light. Higher ISO values also add grain to an image which, is often not desired.   

Note: for purposes of demonstrating how Aperture values impact depth of field, I kept the shutter speed at 1/400th to ensure my subject stayed in focus. 

Let's breakdown some situations that are well suited for using Aperture Priority mode. 

Portrait Photography

If the goal is to blur the background and isolate the subject which, often makes for a great portrait, then consider using the lowest f-stop value the lens will allow for...this could be as low as f1.2 or as high as f4 or f5.6. To further enhance the blur effect consider these three additional steps:

1) Place the subject as far away from the background as possible.

2) Use a longer zoom such as 100mm or even 200mm lens. 

3) Get closer to the subject. 

vacation, travel, landscape photography

Often, when taking images of big vistas or other beautiful scenes while on vacation or traveling, the desired outcome is to have the entire scene in focus including the foreground and background so that the image will not only capture your family in the foreground but also capture the details of that beautiful mountain range, lake, or building they are standing in front of. To accomplish this it is best to use a higher f-stop value such as f8, f11, f14 or higher. It is important to remember when using higher f-stop values that less light is hitting the sensor and the camera will lower the shutter speed and increase the ISO values to compensate for this. This is generally OK as many cameras will not let the shutter speed dip too low. or the let the ISO go beyond its practical limits. 

As with all photographs, first ask yourself what the desired outcome or intent is. If the intent is to capture a portrait or isolate a subject from its background consider using a low aperture value.. If the intent is to get the background in focus, also use higher f-stop values. If the intent is to freeze action consider using in Shutter Priority mode. More on that in the next blog. 

Like all things, the best way to understand these concepts is to practice.

Ping me if you have any questions.

If you enjoyed this post a like and a share would be super appreciated!

Best,

JG

Check out some of my recent fine art images here: www.johnguillaume.com 

Find me on Instagram @john_guillaume

Why print photos when in this digital age it is so easy to share our photos on our favorite social media? Well, nothing beats being able to actually touch and hold a photograph or a photo book. We have all gone through our childhood photographs - maybe they are in a shoebox or an album - and have experienced the joy of those memories. My kids will often pull a photobook off of the shelf and flip through the pages with big smiles on their faces. 

While digital formats are awesome for sharing and storing they also run the risk of digital failure or obsolescence. What if iCloud, Google Drive, or DropBox has a failure and accidentally deletes your pictures? Do you have a backup? In 20-years will the jpeg format (the standard file format for 99% of pictures) still be readable by the latest gadgets? There is a potential risk in digital archiving albeit small but they are real. Printing your most important memories is a safe and easy backup. 

While I was exploring a related business idea, I discovered a handful of interesting and convenient options for printing.  The two services worthy of highlighting are Shutterfly and Chatbooks. Both of these applications run on Google Android or Apple iOS. 

First,  Shutterfly, through its mobile application (only), offers free, unlimited 4x6 and 4x4 prints. Not bad, right! The application is easy to use. Simply download the app, create an account, and give the application access to your photos. Then you can easily select which ones you would like to have printed. Your prints will arrive within a week. It's that easy. There is a shipping fee but the net price of each photo is very low, depending on how many you order at a time. Shutterfly's print and photo paper quality are just OK. The paper is a tad thin and the colors are lacking pop. Overall, I would give the Shutterfly app an A for value,  a B for convenience, and a C for print quality. 

Second,  Chatbooks, is a very cool and super convenient way to get your best memories printed in book form. After you've downloaded the application, you'll give it permission to access your photos, Instagram, Snapchat, and/or Facebook accounts. Here is the slick part; for approximately $10/month, each time you post 60 pictures, it automatically generates a small, square book that is mailed to you. It also has the option of including your quotes from the various social media platforms, which is great in my opinion. Like Shutterfly, the image quality isn't great but acceptable. The paper is a soft touch, waxy feel and delivers a softer look compared to traditional photo paper. Chatbooks gets an 'A' for convenience and a 'C' for print quality. For most folks, I would guess that the print quality is good enough.  If you're interested in high-quality photo books, I recommend Blurb (www.blurb.com). Be sure to look for Blurb deals because they often run promotions. 

So which is for you? If you prefer single prints, Shutterfly is an economical way to go with decent quality prints. If you prefer the booklet format, Chatbooks is super easy to use and delivers similar quality. 

If you value higher quality prints, I recommend printing them on an inkjet printer at home or using a better photo lab such as Mpix. On Mpix, 4x6 and 4x4 prints will cost as little as $.24 plus shipping but the print and paper quality are a bit better and, in my experience, worth the extra money. Mpix does not have a convenient mobile app so a little extra effort is required to get them uploaded to their site. 

Regardless of which you choose, consider printing those memories for keepsakes, photo albums, or framing. You and your family will get years of enjoyment out of them. 

As always, let me know if you have any questions or comments.  

If you enjoyed this post, please take a few seconds to like and share with your friends and family. 

Don't forget to subscribe to always stay up to date on my posts, new images, and exclusive deals. 

Best,
John 

While not technically challenging to shoot, capturing this shot did require some foresight and planning. I envisioned this very image over a year ago but needed weather conditions to cooperate. Using a long lens was necessary to get the shot without trespassing. The snow effectively simplified the scene by eliminating distracting elements. 

I wrote about  seeing things differently as a photographer in the Four Reasons I Love Photography Post. I would have never noticed the intimate beauty of this scene if I did not take the time to notice my surroundings.

Key take aways:

1. You don’t need to be in an epic location to find great images.  

2. Keep your eyes open and imagine compositions that may be hidden by other distractions.

Thanks for reading and please use the comments section to ask questions or share your thoughts.

A like and a share are always appreciated. 

Best, 

JG

We all take a lot of pictures these days.  Capturing those fleeting moments and recalling them on Facebook or in a photo album is priceless. Sometimes I catch the kids grabbing a photo album off of the shelf and turning the pages with a smile on their face...priceless!  

2. Photography Gets Me Outside

I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and my camera gives me another reason to do so. Sometimes, I’ll go explore a new location in hopes of getting that next portfolio image. Even if I don't get that killer image, the experience of getting outside is always worth it. Other times, I’ll bring my camera along for a hike, trail run, or bike ride - Yes, I often will run or ride with my camera!  You just never know what may catch you eye. 

3. Photography Makes Me Look at Everything Differently

I notice details around me that I would not otherwise see. Such as the subtle details of a building's architecture, the shape of the clouds, how the light hits the hillside, the long shadows of dusk and dawn, the catch light in someone’s eye, the leading lines created by a street or fence line, or the rich colors experienced during a morning walk. Photography has even shaped my thinking about business - how do I keep the message clear and simple?

4. I Love the Creative Process

Taking the picture is the just the beginning. The editing process is just as fulfilling for me. Getting the images off of my camera and into Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop [or your favorite editing tools] is the next step in the process to make an image come to life. Editing cannot make up for a bad image but post-processing absolutely makes a great photograph better. The best part...there aren't any rules! 

What do you enjoy most about photography? Let me know in the comments, below. 

Have a great day! 

John 

PS - If you are enjoying this blog, please take a moment to share with others :-)

www.johnguillaume.com

There are three important functions you will want to learn: 

1. Shutter Speed - Determines how fast the shutter opens and closes 
2. Aperture - Changes the size of the opening to your camera's sensor
3. ISO - Impacts your camera's sensitivity to light 

Once you understand each of these and how they interact with each other, you will be able to focus on more important aspects of photography such as composition and light.  

The video below, by Tony Northrup, does a good job of explaining how each of these impacts the outcome of your image. After watching this, practice and experience what you've learned. Take a picture of your son or daughter outdoors using a low Aperture (f2.8-f4) and then a high Aperture value (f16-f22)...notice the difference in the background and the ISO? Have her run slowly towards you with a high (1/1000th) and low shutter (1/100th) speed and notice how it impacts the sharpness of the subject.  

When I was learning these functions I simply took pictures of anyone and anything. Through trial and error, you will begin to appreciate how they work and then be able to use them to your advantage to get the shot you wanted.

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Best,

John

www.johnguillaume.com

YOu need to overexpose your images because your camera will automatically underexpose the scene because of the brightness value of the snow.  

Here are two ways to do it:   

1. EDIT YOUR PICTURE after you've taken it by increasing your 'white' or 'brightness' slider and add a bit of 'contrast' as well. Adjust these to your taste. 
2. INCREASE YOUR EXPOSURE BY USING EXPOSURE COMPENSATION before you click the shutter button - I covered how to do this on your iPhone HERE.  Many DSLRs have a dedicated dial, as well.  Bump your exposure up by 1-2 stops and viola...your snowy photograph just a got a little better.  

For those of you getting hit by this nor'easter, winter storm Quinn, stay safe and warm and get outside and take some pics! 

JG

polarizing filter to the rescue

A polarizing filter is a piece of polarized glass that is typically screwed onto the front of your camera's lens that absorbs much of the polarized light before it hits your camera's sensor. The filter can be rotated 360º to optimize its effectiveness. It's You simply turn it while looking through your camera's viewfinder and stop when you see your desired effect. It is rotatable because its effect is impacted by the angle of the sun relative to your camera.  

KEY BENEFITS OF THE POLARIZING FILTER

• Richer more saturated colors  
• Remove glare from water or leaves and other non-metallic surfaces

Look at the images to the right to compare polarized and non-polarized images.  Big difference, right! 

Which filter to buy?

Like many things, you can spend as much or little as you want. The price varies based on the size of your camera's lens but expect to spend between $50-$90 for a good one that will last you a lifetime.  The cheaper ones tend to reduce overall image quality and scratch more easily.  

I've had good luck with Breatkthrough Photography filters. Other good brands include B+W, Tiffen, and Hoya. An Amazon affiliate link is below if you are interested in purchasing a polarizer. 

Thanks for reading.  If you enjoyed this please take a moment to like this article and share it with your friends.  

Thanks and make it a great day!

John

See more of my imagery on Instagram

www.johnguillaume.com 

In preparation for the early morning outing, I used The Photographers Ephemeris (TPE) app (available for iOS or Android) to scout out potential photographic opportunities. TPE does a lot of things but I primarily use it to track the path of the sunrise and sunset relative to my shooting position.  In addition, I use the maps view to look at the terrain.  In this case, the maps view was my primary tool because I was looking for interesting features along the shoreline.  Note: You could easily do this on Google Maps or Apple Maps using satellite view.  After I had pinpointed a couple of points of interest, I got my gear ready and set the alarm for 4:30 am. Why so early?  The best light for landscape photography is most often just before and just after sunrise or sunset. During this 'golden hour,' colors are rich and vibrant and the light is soft - ideal conditions for photography. 

BZZZ, BZZZ, BZZZ - I tiptoe around the family and quickly get dressed without waking them.  I grab my gear and head to WaWa for a mega-large coffee - coffee is my friend ;-).  The drive was less than 10 minutes.  In short order, I’m barefoot on the beach and searching for those points of interest and just enjoying the solitude of the early morning.  Life is good! 

There were too many clouds for a rich and vibrant sunrise but what I did get was soft and muted colors which suit my style anyway.  The composition I had in mind was simple...I wanted a straightaway shot with the jetty starting at the front of the frame and extending to the horizon.  My vision was to create an ethereal image by making the water creamy and getting some movement in the clouds.  Also, I had black and white in mind since the morning colors were obscured by the cloud layer.

CAMERA SETTINGS FOR A LONG EXPOSURE
I put my camera on the tripod and found my composition.  Next, I added a 3-stop ND and polarizing filter. I then dialed-in the settings using Aperture Priority mode which I set at f11. I also manually set my ISO to 64.  These settings resulted in a 60-second shutter speed (exposure time). When shooting moving objects, such as water, longer shutter speeds smooth out the water making it like creamy. 

I LOVE LONG EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY BECAUSE IT'S LIKE CAPTURING A VIDEO IN A SINGLE MOMENT IN TIME. 

A shorter shutter speed, such as 1/25 of a second, would have shown the texture of the water and the surf.  Either approach is fine.  It comes down to artistic choice.

After getting the shot I wanted, I wandered the beach a bit and took two other images but then headed back to join my family for breakfast.

Editing the RAW Image

Later that week I found some time to edit the image.  I use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for editing and cataloging all of my photographs.  I enjoy this part of the process...it is probably the tech nerd in me but there is something cathartic about. Sometimes I make a lot of changes sometimes very few...again, it comes down to artistic choice and what the photographer had in mind when taking the image. 

In this case, there were not a lot of changes but a few big ones. 

1. My normal tweaks:  Some black and white level adjustments to get the exposure just right.
2. I converted it to black and white and adjusted some of the tonal values to my liking.
3. Desaturated the sky completely.
4. Added some blue-greens into the shadows of the water.

While this may seem like a 15-minute process, the final image was the result of several different edits and changes over multiple days.  I have found it is helpful to step away from an edit and come back the next day to see if it still looks good.  Sometimes it does...sometimes it doesn't...it just takes time to get it to feel right. 

The result is clean, simple, minimalist image.  It's something that would not be seen by the naked eye.  Tens of thousands of people walk by this jetty every year but they've never seen it this way.  It’s 60 seconds worth of time captured in a single moment.

Use the comments section, below if you have any questions.  I'm always happy to help. 

If you are interested in hanging Out To Sea on your wall, please CONTACT ME and we can discuss printing and sizing options.  

Make it a great day!

John Guillaume 

www.johnguillaume.com 

FOUR REASONS YOU SHOULD CROP YOUR PHOTOS

1.  Zoom in to make your subject more prominent.  

As you can see below, the cropped image now emphasizes the subject and shows off the background while cutting out the foreground which, doesn't add any value to the image's story.  This results in an image that is much more appealing to the eye. 

2.  Cut out unwanted parts of the photograph  

Here, I've cut out the ski lift wires and poles that are ugly and detract from the image.  

3.  change the aspect ratio for printing and framing

It's a small change, but because the aspect ratio of the camera is different than the size needed for an 8x10 (Original image was 3x4) print and frame, I need to crop the image a bit.  As a bonus, I also got rid of the distracting light at the bottom right and was able to zoom in more on the subjects.  

4.  straighten your horizon line  

I must admit, having a crooked horizon line is a pet-peeve of mine.  An image just looks unbalanced to the eye when the horizon line is off.  Getting the horizon line straight isn't easy when you're in the moment and getting a quick shot like the one below of the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl parade.  It is easy to quickly fix the horizon line using your photo editing application and slightly rotating the image. 

As you can see in these examples, cropping can enhance an image quite a bit.  You should be aware that when you crop you will reduce the overall image resolution. Therefore, you limit your ability to print larger.  The resulting size limitations will depend on how much you crop and the original resolution of the image.  For sharing online, you can crop your image a lot while not impact the overall quality.    

Take a look at some of your photos and give cropping a try.  You'll be amazed at how much it can change the feel of your images. 

Comments, questions, suggested topics, are always welcomed.  Use the comment and like buttons, below.  

Also, If you would like to check out some of my fine art photography, click or tap on 'gallery' on the site menu and follow me on Instagram - www.instagram.com/john_guillaume

Make it a great day! 

JG

www.johnguillaume.com

Above:   I took this image, last Wednesday, of the Super Blue Blood Moon as it was setting over Denver, CO.  To the right, I've sliced the image into thirds to better illustrate how the rule of thirds can be applied.  You'll notice the main subject - the moon - sits at the upper, left intersection.  Equally as important, you'll see the horizon line of the lake aligned with the bottom horizontal axis.  I cropped this image to a 1:1, or square aspect ratio because I felt it was a more pleasing composition, largely because of the rule of thirds.  

Below: To the left is the original image a friend of mine took of me skiing last week, in Sun Valley, ID, using his iPhone.  This is probably pretty typical vacation picture where subjects are often centered in the frame.  It makes for a fine memory but not a great picture.  To the right, you'll see a cropped image where I placed the subject (me) at the bottom right intersection, resulting in a far better image.   

Keep in mind, the rule of thirds is really just a guideline and not a hard and fast rule.  As an example, if your image lends itself to symmetry then centering the main subject can make sense as demonstrated, below.  Even though my main subject is centered, note how the rule of thirds plays into the foreground of the image and the horizon line.   

Composition and good light are the two most important elements in photography.  Your gear can matter but most of the time it does not.  Give the rule of thirds a go and see how much it can improve your photos.  

BONUS TIP:   You can enable the rule of thirds grid on your iPhone screen when you take pictures.  Simply go to Settings > Camera > Grid.  It is a great little reminder to help you compose your pictures better. 

Comments and questions are always welcomed. 

Make it a great day! 

JG

www.johnguillaume.com

#flyeaglesfly 

Here are some real world examples you will be able to relate to:  Have you ever taken a picture at the beach and the person you took the picture of is completely in shadow while the sky looks great?  Exposure compensation can fix that.  Have you ever taken a picture of that killer sunset but it doesn’t look as dramatic as what you saw with your own eyes?  Exposure compensation can fix that, as well.  The results can be dramatic.  See the two images, below. 

To see the feature in action watch the video, below.  Using this feature is super simple.  Tap the screen where your subject is located and you’ll see the focus square appear.  To the right of the focus square is a slider with a ‘sun’ icon.  To brighten your subject, simply slide it up to your taste.  To reduce the exposure, simply slide it down.  Brightening the scene will expose more detail in your subject and often results in an improved photograph.  Conversely, reducing the exposure can accentuate the colors of a sunset.

Let me know what you think in the comments, below.  

Make it a great day!

JG

www.johnguillaume.com

Here is a list of my favorite YouTube channels/episodes that can help you, as well: 

1. Do you often wonder what all those buttons and settings on your camera do...this is a great start?  “The 15 Features of Your DSLR That Every Photographer Should Know” by Jeff Cable -  https://youtu.be/ap7qnQHIuXI
2. Tony & Chelsea Northrup - All around photography instruction and gear reviews.  They have a great book that I purchased a few years, ago - “How to Create Stunning Digital Photography.”  It is a best seller on Amazon and is only $10.  I highly recommend the book and their channel.  https://www.youtube.com/user/VistaClues
3. Thomas Heaton - If you’re interested in landscape photography, Thomas is a favorite of mine.  Thomas will take you out on his many hikes and adventures while sharing his tips and tricks to get those killer images.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfhW84xfA6gEc4hDK90rR1Q
4. The Art of Photography - Ted Forbes knows so much about the history of photography and often interviews or reviews some of the great photographers of our time.  His channel goes beyond gear and knobs and explores what actually makes a good photograph.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfhW84xfA6gEc4hDK90rR1Q

These resources have been an ongoing source of information and inspiration for me.  I hope these can help you kindle your fire for photography, as well.  

As always, leave a comment or shoot me an email if you want to share any of your photos or have questions or comments. 

Make it a great day!

JG 

www.johnguillaume.com

I often get asked by parents what the best camera settings are for getting good action images of their kids.  After all, sports are often a big part of our  lives and it is great to be able to capture those special moments as they progress and grow over the years.  Of course, as they get older they get faster and catching the action at that decisive moment can be quite tricky.  Here are a few settings and tips to get you started: 

1. Get out of Auto!  If you have a camera with manual controls, like most DSLRs have, put it on ‘Shutter Priority.’  For Canon users it’s the Tv on your mode dial and S on Nikon as well as many other manufacturers.  (see image below) This setting allows you to control the shutter speed (how fast the camera’s shutter opens and closes).  The higher the value the faster it opens and closes and the better chance you have of ‘freezing’ that moment.   As the action speeds up, a faster shutter speed is required.  A good starting point is 1/800th of a second.  Take a couple of shots and see how they look.  If you are getting unwanted motion blur, take it up to 900 or 1000 or even up to 1/1200.  Younger players will be slower and you’ll be able to get away with slower speeds.  Middle school and high schoolers definitely gets faster.  
2. Use a specific focus point(s).  Most DSLRs will let you choose one focus point, a pattern of points, or, all of them.  If you can pick one focus point, or a small pattern of them and follow the player with those points you will get the best results.  Using a single focus point is often referred to a ‘single point auto focus.’  Do a quick Google search to figure out how to set this up for your particular camera model.  Letting the camera choose focus points will be frustratingly inaccurate when there is potential for several kids in the same frame.  As you may have discovered... sometimes it works but most of the time it does not.  It will take time and practice to get good at tracking your subject but once you get it , 65-80% of your shots will be in focus.  
3. Anticipate the Action.  Knowing where the action is going is critical.  Anticipating action will vastly increase your chances of getting that killer shot of your son or daughter.  Here are some examples:   1)  Follow the ball and anticipate when it will be received.  Once it reaches your son's feet, press the shutter button.  2) If your daughter is open and has her lacrosse stick is up to receive a pass, point the camera towards her in anticipation of her receiving the ball.  3)  Once the basketball is in the air, anticipate your son going up for the rebound by pre-focusing below the basket...when he's in the air about to grab the ball, fire away.  To do this, it certainly helps to understand how the sport is played but that will come with time. 
4. Crop the Image.  Once you get your images off of your camera and on to your computer or phone, simply ‘crop’ (digital zoom) them in any photo editing tool so that you better fill the frame with your son or daughter.  Close-up action shots are almost always better (see comparison below) so don’t be afraid to crop an image in order to look them like you had a long lens.  Some will argue that you lose resolution when you crop...this is true and unavoidable.  However, for sharing these memories on Facebook or Instagram or even a 5.x7 or 8x10 print you do not need the highest resolution image. Keep in mind, if you want to blow an image up to a 20"x30" or poster size you will need that extra resolution.  TIP:  I do recommend a 200mm telephoto lens and ideally up to 300mm or 400mm.  Get what you can afford and what you need...remember you’re not making a living doing this.  However, you can still get great images with less expensive gear.   

5. Be cognizant of your background.  If there is a porta-potty or an overflowing trash can behind your daughter, it can ruin the image.  Simply make sure where you are standing relative to your target subject that you can avoid those distractions.   It can often be as simple as moving 10-20 feet either direction.  Or, go to one end of the field or the other for a different perspective and background. 

6. Go to where the action is.  If your son or daughter is playing the Attack position in lacrosse, they will be on one end of the field...go down there to get closer to their action.  Most refs will let you go behind the goal so don't be shy.  Taking images strictly from the sideline can be limiting and the images will start to look the same over time. 

I should note that indoor sports are much more difficult to shoot because they typically have poor lighting.  Basketball gyms or pools are notorious for poor lighting.  Because light is essential for taking photographs, the less you have, the more challenging it can be.  For that discussion we need to introduce the concepts of ISO and Aperture values.  More on that in a future post.  

TIP:  Don't be afraid to take plenty of images..  Most of them will be throw away but all you need is one or two keepers.  

Like all things, this takes practice and you'll only get better over time.  

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.  

Be sure to subscribe.  

Best,

JG

www.johnguillaume.com