Wyoming (Canon 20D infrared, 1/800 at f/7.1, 25mm, ISO 100)

I’ve often been asked if I edit all my images immediately after taking them. The answer is yes and no. The instant gratification part of me always rushes to edit the images I have the best “gut” on…meaning those images that I feel I really connected with and nailed. I can’t wait to edit those shots, while at the same time neglecting many images that just don’t seem to meet a particular criteria at the time, or those that I’m not as excited about initially. Now that I’ve amassed a photo library approaching nearly 75,000 images, I’m finding myself going back to review my not so obvious choices. I’m not going to lie. Some of these images aren’t obvious choices for a reason…they stink! But for every 8 or 9 stinkers there’s a welcome surprise that I’ve overlooked in the past. An image, that for whatever reason, I passed over for months or years simply because I didn’t have the vision for its direction at the time. It could be an image that I originally shot in color, but now I can see how it would work as a B&W, or possibly it’s an image where I just didn’t see the right angle or crop for at the time. Regardless of the reason, it’s silly to assume that as our technique and vision change, we simply should abandoned the past. The one sure fire way to look at an image in a new light is consider playing with some preset. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say, “Wow, it’s like looking at my images for the first time.” So here’s my assignment to you for those days when you can’t get out and shoot: Take a look at your library of images and go mining for some lost gems. Play with your presets, try a different crop, but most importantly have fun experimenting. There’s nothing like finding a new vision in an old image…

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Love the travel photography, photo by Kajsa Stolberg

Kajsa here for the weekend post and we’ll be starting a new poll.  The results from the last poll, “Do your photographs capture your personality” show that most people feel that their photos do capture their personality.  Great responses and explanations  – we love to hear the why’s as much as viewing the results of the polls.  Like when Darrell Branch said, “My images are all over the place… some you just like to have around just because they make you feel happy.”  From goofy to too serious it’s fun to see a person’s personality shine through their work.
This week I’m curious what kinds of photography you like to look at.  Does the microscopic view of a macro shot draw your eye, or would you much rather look at a mountain range in the distance?  Can you never get enough of portraits or black and white abstract images?  Vote for your favorite on the side panel and tell us why with a comment!

Foggy Tree (1/160th at f/8, 80mm at ISO 200)

I’ve been in Michigan the last few days attending a few meetings and visiting family.  It seems as though much of Northern Michigan has been covered in fog as the snow is slowly giving way to the Spring rains.   Ever since I was a child I’ve always been fascinated by the fog.  I love the idea how it transforms our perception of reality.  The fog truly creates opportunities for seeing things in a different light. It creates new and interesting images that might otherwise have seemed unworthy of notice.  A tree in a field is transformed into an unknown landmark to be left to anyone’s imagination. For me…the fog opens up my backyard again.  It transforms my familiar surroundings into a foreign and mysterious land and creates countless new images limited only by my imagination.

Idaho Farm (1/640 at f/7.1) 16mm at ISO 200)

Old Tire Swing

I don’t know about you but I really enjoy shooting old abandoned buildings.   I don’t quite know what it is that I love about these rundown buildings other than I think I’m drawn to their solitude.   David E. Jackson, a photographer based out of Appleton Wisconsin, spent several years photographing “rural abandonment” in Wisconsin.  His book, “Simple + Dirty” should have been labeled “Simply Amazing.”  The book is beautiful and his work is well worth checking out.  If you’re not familiar with his work then do yourself a favor and check out his work HERE.   If you’re into shooting abandoned places, I would love to hear why.  Maybe it will help reconcile that I’m not suffering from some Freudian fear of abandonment myself…;)   So drop me a line and tell me why you like shooting these empty, rundown, old buildings.

Frozen Ladder (1/100 at f/8.0; 16mm at ISO 100)

This weekend I had all intentions of taking my camera out and shooting a few frames. But as they say, “life got in the way.”  Between grocery shopping, walking dogs, exercising, and spending time with my kid….time just seemed to slip by.  Instead of beating myself up or making excuses, I’ve decided to embark on a yearlong journey to photograph an image a day.  I’ve been debating this for quite some time, but have shrugged it off due to what I feel would be my inability to deliver the goods.  Like most things, it’s all about making time and giving yourself permission to stink from time to time.   Having said that , I decided to establish some rules that I feel I could live by:  1. It’s ok to take some crappy photos 2. The image or video must be posted on the day it was shot 3. The only way out of posting for the day is in the case of an emergency or zero internet (which sadly enough is an emergency in my world) 4. Most importantly – have fun.  This is all about growing as a photographer and experimenting  a bit to get the creative juices flowing.  I plan on embarking on this journey beginning April 1^st (no, this isn’t an April Fool’s Joke)  and pushing through for the next 365 days.   I’ll let everyone know where I plan on posting the images in the weeks to come, but until then wish me luck…John

If you found this helpful consider subscribing to my blog HERE or checking out one of my workshops HERE.

Bear x-ings, photo by Kajsa Stolberg

Kajsa here this Sunday and I want to share a little something with you.  I was having coffee with my longtime friend last week and even though we haven’t lived in the same town in over six years it’s still as if she lives two blocks away.  She was updating me on her week, her students, the leadership conference she recently attended, and her life as a “grown up.”  I had little to update her on in the progress of my photography as I swept my arm to display the littered parking lot in front of the coffee shop – the scenery that I currently spend my hours observing.   In the past my drive to take pictures was always fueled by all the cool things I saw when I got out of my comfort zone, but for the past few months I’ve been sticking close to home trying to earn some extra money, and also taking this opportunity for a breather.  In my effort to ground myself I’ve gotten “out of shape” and my creative juices are definitely not flowing – I mean, I’ve been looking at these same surroundings since birth – what could possibly be cool??  Seeing that I was clearly uninspired, my friend gave me the boost which has stuck with me all week: she replied, “Kajsa, have you ever seen the arrow on the FedEx truck?  It’s always been there, you just have to look for it. See the arrow.”  (I wish I could give credit to the speaker of the aforementioned leadership conference who gave this advice to my friend, but unfortunately I don’t know!)  By taking the time to look at my home from an outsider’s perspective I can see all sorts of wild things: bear crossing signs, tractors holding up traffic, old barns, beautiful sunsets, and even art in the trash outside the coffee shop.  It’s the same old prompt: even if you don’t feel like there’s something to shoot, get out and shoot anyway!  You might find material to create some pretty great stuff. Now it’s your turn – see the arrow!

Henry's Fork Moose

Ok…it’s been a while since I’ve done a Q&A session so I thought I would answer a few questions I’ve received over last few months.

Why should I use a lens hood?
I always use my lens hood because it reduces flare from the sun and lights.  Most importantly, it is just another way to protect your glass. I don’t know how many times I’ve knocked my camera in doorways, poles, trees, etc.

Do I need a UV filter?
I always use a UV filter on my lens (personal preference). Once again it’s just another way to protect your lens. I do want to add a special note for those of you who have gone out and bought an expensive lens. There is no sense whatsoever in spending $1,000+ on a lens just to put a cheap $5.00 UV filter on it. You get what you pay for, and if you’re buying expensive glass and plan on using a UV filter, than I suggest buying a quality filter.

When I’m taking sunset/sunrise photos, do I need to remove my polarizing filter?
Depends. Using a polarized filter and playing with the exposure can result in a dramatic sunset/sunrises. Or, if you prefer you can leave the filter off and apply filters in Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture…etc.

What’s your favorite all around lens?
I love shooting with my Canon 24-70mm USM L series. This lens goes with me everywhere.  But I did stop sleeping with it a few years back…

Your favorite camera bag?
I’ve owned a few but I have to say Think Tank’s Streetwalker Pro is my favorite hands down.  This bag is sturdy, has a rain cover thrown in, and it simply works.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I’m always looking for good Q&A ideas so if you have any questions feel free to leave them here.

If you found this helpful consider subscribing to my blog HERE or checking out one of my workshops HERE.

The Chief

Golden Retreiver

"Old Barn"

All of us remember our first kiss, our first real car, maybe even our first camera, but do you remember the very first image that spoke to you as a photographer?  Not like, “hey, you photographer shoot me” but more like “hey, I’m really enjoying this!  I think this is something I could really get into.”   I was looking through my old photos recently trying to locate the four images that I vividly remember changing my path as a photographer.  Not because they were great, but because they spoke to me.  They truly made me want to become a better photographer. I was only successful in locating three of the four photos….yes, the story of my life    Two of the photos were of an old barn and a fence post.  I remember taking these photos and  thinking this just rocks.  To be honest,  any image I was able to make a decent print of  at the time simply rocked when I was 14.    Another photo  I vividly recall was a of the local Culligan guy’s golden retriever.  Wherever this guy was, his dog was in tow, so I took a few photos one day when he was delivering salt to our house.  The owner  was so thrilled with how they turned out  he insisted on making a large print for his office. And at the ripe old age of 15 I felt as though I had won the lottery.  Lastly, some 12 years later while traveling to Zimbabwe I came across a gentlemen that simply described himself as the “Village Chief.” While I was photographing him and listening to his story, I remember thinking to myself, “ I could do this for the rest of my life.”   I still enjoy, shooting old buildings, dogs (I live with a pack of 4) and people.  It’s funny how your  style might change, your quality improves (hopefully), but at the end of the day you still  shoot what you enjoy.  So my question for all of you is, “What images do you remember directing or fueling your photographic journey?

Machu Picchu (March 2010 Desktop Calendar)

A few years back I had a great opportunity to travel with some friend to Peru.  We spent a week in the Andes and several days hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.  My camera gear accounted for most of my pack’s weight, but it was well worth it as I shot some 2,000 images on the trip.   Click on your screen resolution below and enjoy your free desktop calendar. 

Machu Picchu Desktop Calendar

March Desktop Calendar (1024×768)

March Desktop Calendar (1280×800)

March Desktop Calendar (1280×1024)

March Desktop Calendar (1920×1200)

Lori Rosenfelder Nicoli

Photo by Lori Rosenfelder Nicoli (Canon 40D, 70mm, ISO 100, f/4.0, 1/125s)

Batdorff Photography: What got you into photography?
Lori: Photography has been a point of interest as far back as I can recall. My grandfather and father were both avid amateur photographers; my dad had actually built a darkroom in our basement in the 50’s where he developed his 35mm B&W film.

Batdorff Photography: What’s your favorite piece of equipment?
Lori: I became more personally involved with photography in the early 80’s, shooting mostly slides with a Canon A-1 and an old Exakta 35mm camera. My first DSLR was a Canon EOS Rebel. I have since purchased a Canon 40D, with which I have been very happy. My favorite piece of equipment, so far, has to be the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto lens. It is so versatile and creates such wonderful images.

Through the years, photography has always been a hobby. But now that our children are grown, I have once again taken a more active interest. I still have so much to learn about the craft, equipment, and processing, but find myself always looking at my surroundings as “through the lens”, making mental notes to revisit places and see what I can capture. Photography is so engaging. It never fails to draw me into its web of artistic expression.

You can see more of Lori’s photos at her photography blog HERE.

Aaron Graham

New & Used Tires, photo by Aaron Graham

Batdorff Photography: What got you into photography?
Aaron: It was kind of inevitable I guess.  As a child there were always cameras around.  My father and my aunts took pictures of what seemed like everything everywhere we went.  They had the slide shows to prove it.  Hours and hours of slide shows to prove it.  In the eighth grade we had photography as part of our art class.  I really enjoyed it but because of the costs and resources required I wasn’t able to pursue it to the degree I would have liked.  I took casual “snap shot” pictures from time to time but 35mm film didn’t give me the type of control over the final image that I really wanted.  Finally, the cost of high resolution DSLR’s reached a point that is practical for hobbyists like myself so a little over a year ago my wife and I purchased one.  It has been so much fun!  The upsides to shooting digital are probably too numerous to list but for me it is all about control.  The available camera adjustments and the digital processing options give me, what seems like, infinite possibilities.  It turned a hobby into a passion!

Batdorff Photography: What’s your favorite piece of equipment?
My Carl Zeiss 16-80mm zoom lens.  The zoom range is perfect for most of the shooting I do and it is razor sharp from corner to corner.

You can see more of Aaron’s work on his Facebook site HERE.

Thank you so much Lori and Aaron for answering our questions. I hope everyone else continues to comment on the blog, Facebook and submit photos for future contests. You might get an email asking to be featured in the next Spotlight on the Reader post!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!