Weekly Photography Tips

Another Flickr Wednesday...

2013-06-19T07:49:00.001-04:00

Here are more outstanding images uploaded by our readers to our Flickr group .

Click on any one of the images to view larger.

If you are going to upload images, be sure to put your name (and your website URL) on them, it will make it easier for folks to find you (and see more of your work).

If you are not already part of our Flickr group we would love for you to join us, you can get all the details on how to join right here.

Here's your next assignment...

2013-06-18T11:44:00.001-04:00

For whatever reason I have not done a very good job documenting the area I live in "photographically" and have decided that this summer I am going to change that.

So this past weekend I picked my first victim and headed off to photograph the town next door, Old Orchard Beach (Maine).

The population explodes between May and September as Old Orchard Beach is most definitely a tourist town, it has a kinda "carny" town feel to it with all the rides, games, and pier, it also has some of the nicest beaches in Maine.

Here are some images that represent a typical Saturday night in OOB.

Click on any image to view larger, especially the one of Elvis!

Lots of rides...

And you can't throw a rock six feet in any direction without hitting a pizza place....

The best part of Saturday night is that I can now say, "I SAW ELVIS!"

Yes, despite those occasional potholes and bumps in the road, life is very good.

Now your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to go someplace close to you, that you may have been to a bazillion times but never really photographed and do just that, capture it like you wanted to tell a story. Then (please) upload an image of two to our Flickr group.

If you are not already part of our Flickr group we would love for you to join us, you can get all the details on how to join right here.

A happy Father's Day... and a thought...

2013-06-16T11:36:00.001-04:00

First, I want to wish a warm and wonderful Father's Day to all you dads out there. If I could give the new ones (those that still have the shine on them) just a small piece of advice, cherish being a dad, drink it ALL in, don't miss a thing.

You may think the road is long, but I had one daughter graduate last week, and now my twins will do the same in less than a year and I swear I don't know where the time went, obviously I must have been in a coma because surely 18 years could not have past by this quickly.

Along with other changes in my life Father's Day will be different moving forward, not that it's a bad thing, but change can be scary.

And what I wouldn't give to have them come running into the room wearing their one piece footy pajamas just one more time.

Here is a "re-run" of a previous Father's Day post:

I was having lunch with my friend Bob, our ritual is lunch every Thursday and I always enjoy our conversations as Bob is thoughtful and insightful man.

When Bob talks, I listen.

At this one particular lunch I was telling Bob about my dad, who left when I was 6, and how it had been decades since I last saw him.

I told him that on my 40th birthday a card containing a letter arrived from my dad telling me of his regrets, that a lot of water had passed under the bridge, and that he would love to visit. Reading his words didn’t provoke any emotions, the anger of him leaving us had long since gone, but I didn’t feel the need for a reunion either. The letter went into a drawer and I never replied.

Bob asked why; I told him that “at this point in my life I didn’t feel the need for father”. He nodded and then thoughtfully responded, “ya, but maybe he has a need for a son”.

It was like I had just been struck by lighting. I got it.

I found out where my dad was living and made arrangements to go see him.

But he died before I got there.

Regrets don’t come from the things we do, sure there are some things we won’t do a second time, but we learn from them, there was a lesson in there for us.

The true regrets come from the things that we don’t do.

You too may be at a point in your life where you don’t feel the need for a father, but maybe you have a father who needs a son.

Something to think about.

Happy Fathers Day dad.

(me and my dad)

Father's Day photo gear...

2013-06-14T13:28:00.002-04:00

Just in case dad is a photographer, here are a few suggestions.

As is always the case, not only is this stuff on sale, it also comes with free shipping.

LumiQuest Wedding/Event Kit with Quik Bounce Light Modifier - $34

You can check out our LumiQuest review here, a great little light modifier.

Flashpoint VL-48, Macro Ring Light - $39

X-Rite Digital ColorChecker Passport, Exposure & White Balance System - $79

You can check out our ColorChecker review here, I use this ALL the time and think there is nothing better for getting color correct.

Think Tank Airport 4-Sight Four Wheel Roller - $149

Lexar 64GB Professional 800x CompactFlash Card - 2 Pack - $249

Since I stared shooting with the Nikon D800 I have moved to this memory cards to accommodate the large file size and have been extremely happy with their performance.

Tiffen 77mm Variable Neutral Density ND Filter - 2 to 8 Stop - $149

Check out our Scott Kelby Long exposure tutorial to see this kind of filter in action. I own it and love it.

Flashpoint Carbon Fiber Tripod, with Ball Head - $149

Lastly, every penny of every affiliate check we get goes to feeding the hungry, so here is a chance to get outstanding gear at sale prices while also giving a hand to those in need.

Thank you.

Photography Q&A with Zack Arias...

2013-06-13T11:36:00.000-04:00

In the interest of full disclosure, I have made it pretty clear on this blog that I am a HUGE Zack Arias "fan boy"!

We have posted about Zack more than a few times, reviewing his One Light Workshop DVD (which we also named "product of the year"), we reviewed his CreativeLIVE workshop, and also shared his tutorials on using white seamless (to name a few).

With that being said, lets talk about the latest book to do the "UPS thud" on my porch, Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers from, you may have guessed, Mr. Zack Arias.

Believe it or not, the first thing I read when I open a book is the dedication, I think it speaks volume about the belief structure of the author.

Now, about the book itself.

Q: Who is the target audience of this book?

A: Anyone who takes their photography seriously, being an amateur or professional photographer has nothing to do with it, being serious about the craft of photography does.

Q: What was the origin of Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers?

A: It started with Zack's Tumblr blog Photography Q&A: Ask me anything about photography (where you can still ask questions or read the other questions along with Zack's answers).

Q: Did you like this book?

A: No, I absolutely LOVED this book, so much so that I will find it hard to give away to one of our readers.

Q: Is it really just questions and answers?

A: Yup, a 100 of them, about gear, about business, about the best places to go on the web to get good honest critiques of your work, and I can't tell you how many times I said "oooh, that's a good question".

Q: Did you have a favorite part of the book?

A: Yup, page 62, Zach talks about why we should photograph the people we love.

Q: Anything else?

A: I really liked his answer to the question about building a portfolio (page 216), probably the longest answer to any question in the entire book, really really well thought out answer. Lots of visual cues and examples along with the rational for why. It drove home the point that our portfolio is the most important thing we as photographers "put out there".

Q: Is the book worth the money to buy and time to read?

A: OMG YES! Because of the diversity and range of the questions it would be impossible to cover everything that's in the book, but I can tell you truthfully - not once did I read a question/answer and think "well, that was a waste of my time".

The questions are the same ones I (and I bet you) have, and the answers are phenomenally educational.

Seriously, it's like sitting across the table from Zack Arias and peppering him for hours with every question you've ever had and listening to his thoughtful and insightful answers, how could that NOT be extremely valuable?

The things you'll learn that will add to your photography are priceless, and the time and money you'll save by not making the mistakes Zack talks about will be worth far more than the cost of buying a few cases of this book.

There are educational opportunities that don't require you to ever touch your camera, it requires you to listen, to think, to learn from the experience of others, and if that interests you, you can't do any better than Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers.

There is no lesson here...

2013-06-12T09:16:00.000-04:00

(click on image to view larger)
Nope, this is not a tutorial, there's no "big secret" or "trick" on how to edit, it has nothing to do with a Lightroom preset or a Photoshop action, and it's not a review of that next best piece of editing software.

It's a picture, just one single picture.

This is a photograph I took of my daughter Katie (aka: boo boo) on prom night a few weeks back.

I have taken a bazillion photographs that show how pretty she is (not that I am biased), but I think this is the first photograph I have taken of her that truly captures (and shows) her stunning inner beauty.

It's what I see every time I look at her... and I wanted the world to see it too.

Rolling on towards one million!...

2013-06-12T08:06:00.002-04:00

Last night we topped 900,000 views on our YouTube channel.

We need to thank all of you for taking the time to watch our silly little videos, and to Scott Kelby for doing his "long exposure tutorial", which is by far our most popular video.

If you want to see our worst video, check this one out, a great product but a really bad video.

:)

So we now roll on to the 1,000,000 mark, a HUGE milestone, made possible only because of you.

THANK YOU!

You may have noticed....

2013-06-11T08:46:00.002-04:00

We have added a "big event" countdown clock to the upper ~~left~~ right column.

Any guesses?

Check out this photo gear on sale...

2013-06-07T09:47:00.000-04:00

Some great deals on photography gear for your consideration.

First we have Lexar memory card on sale, you can select from both Compact Flash and SDHC cards, and they are available as single cards or multi-packs.

Second, we have Canon lenses, almost every one of them are on sale and come with rebates, some as high as $200.

Third are the Canon bodies, again almost every one of them is on sale with rebates as high as $500. There are the options of body only or body and lens kits.

All of the items on sale also come with free shipping.

Lastly, every penny of every affiliate check we get goes to feeding the hungry, so here is a chance to get outstanding gear at sale prices while also giving a hand to those in need.

Thank you.

Another (outstanding) Flickr Wednesday...

2013-06-05T08:08:00.000-04:00

If a picture is worth a thousand words, here's an eight thousand word post... ;)

Enjoy, I sure did.

Click on any of the images below to view larger.

"Berries"

"4"

"Fox"

"Leaving Today"

"Memorial Day 2013"

"Parked"

"Legs on Holiday"

"Amazing Spiderman"

If you are not currently part of our Flick group we would love for you to join us, you'll find all the details on how to join right here.

And if you do upload images, I strongly encourage you to watermark your image with your name and your website so folks can easily find you, and they can enjoy more of your work.

"Thank you" to everyone who has taken the time to be part of our group and for uploading images.

The origin of Photoshop...

2013-06-04T10:07:00.001-04:00

In my humble opinion the origin of both Photoshop AND glamour photography falls smack in the lap of George Hurrell.

He was the photographer of the stars in the "heydays" of Hollywood (1930's).

I am not going to spend too much time today talking about Mr. Hurrell, but will leave you with enough resources below so you can read to your hearts content about him, his style, and gaze at his work.

If you had to pick out the two things that really separated George from the pack it was his lighting style and editing technique.

He would ask his stars to wear little to no makeup which made it easier for him to actually retouch the 8x10 negative produced by his large format camera (using things as simple as a pencil).

Here is the original photograph of Joan Crawford on the left next to the same photo on the right after the negative had been retouched:

More glamour shots of Hollywood stars photographed (and edited) by George Hurrell, he often lit so that the subjects eyelashes would cast dramatic shadows (click on any image to view larger):

Carole Lombard

Dorothy Arnold

Joan Crawford

Jean Harlow

Here are some links you will want to check out:

George Hurrell

Hurrell Estate Editions

From The Atlantic "Starlight and Shadow"

The Telegraph "George Hurrell: the master of the Hollywood still"

The Reel Foto "George Hurrell: Lights, Camera, Glamour!"

Watch the 1 hour documentary "George Hurrell Documentary "Legends in Light"

Here is a video the emulates the classic Hollywood glamor, but using todays tools and techniques "Classic Hollywood Glamour in Photoshop"

Enjoy

Tips & tricks for shooting reflective surfaces...

2013-06-03T07:00:00.006-04:00

Here is a follow up (and an addition to) our post from Friday on photographing reflective surfaces.

One of the most challenging things to light is glass (and other highly reflective surfaces), because normally when we photograph a subject we are putting our light on that subject. But with glass we do the opposite, we are lighting around the subject.

I have put together some incredible examples of how to light reflective surfaces, so hang on, here goes:

The first resource is from us, here is the post of a shoot we did with our client Mastercam.

Resource number two is from one of my photography heroes David Hobby (aka Strobist), it was an assignment he shot of flavored vodkas, so follow this link to see all the shiny details.

Number three is from Strobist as well (see, I told you he was a hero), and it too involves alcohol, this time it's beer, check it out.

This link is from DIY Photography (yet more beer).

Another resources is from Pixiq and shows a dramatically different way of shooting the same product (Vodka).

Here are the last two well done tutorials for lighting glass here and here (sorry, no alcohol in these).

We will close with two video tutorials, the first is how to shoot glass, the second is how to shoot metal..

Subscribers, you know the routine, you will need to return to the blog to watch these videos (as they do not get pushed through with your subscription).

The last day of school....

2013-06-02T12:57:00.002-04:00

Well, the last day of high school at least as Molly well be heading off to college in just a few short months.

Those of you who have been coming to Weekly Photo Tips for very long have kinda watched Molly grow up, as much to her dismay I have posted about her more than just a few times (like here, here, and here).

And oh my, how the van decorations have change.

And as the weather gods wanted to make her last day memorable, we came close to hitting 100 on her final day!

I drift between joy and sadness that my little girl "stinky" is graduating in a mere 7 days.

Just not sure how it was able to sneak up on me like this.

How to photograph reflective surfaces...

2013-05-31T10:00:00.002-04:00

One of the more challenging things to light is glass (and other highly reflective surfaces), because normally when we photograph a subject we are putting our light on that subject.

But with glass we do the opposite, we are lighting around the subject.

You will find a couple well done tutorials for lighting glass here and here.

Today is the last day...

2013-05-31T09:53:00.002-04:00

Just reminder that today is the last day to save almost 50% on the new editing tool "Clarity" from Topaz Labs (just $29).

For more information you can check out our original post here, or head over to YouTube and watch our "demonstration" video.

"Clarity", a new tool from Topaz Labs...

2013-05-28T11:45:00.001-04:00

We've been fans of Topaz Labs for some time (see our previous posts here and here), they produce outstanding products at extremely affordable prices.

Well, they've just announced another to their large stable of tools called "Clarity" which is available for both PC's and MAC's.

Clarity allows you to selectively adjust the contrast in your images without those nasty halos and artifacts that usually accompany that type of editing.

Below is a quickie video that demonstrates what Clarity looks like and how it works in Photoshop, though it's also works with other image editing software flavors, like PaintShop Pro, Photo Impact, and others. You can get a full list of compatible software for PC's and MAC's at this link.

Speaking of how Clarity works, you can sign up of for (one of many) free one hour seminars being offered by Topaz Labs, attending one of these webinars would be a great way to see Clarity editing "in action" and how it will improve your image editing workflow.

Two other resources you will want to check out are the Clarity tutorials along with the users guide.

Though you can take your time going through all of those resources, you will want to act quickly on purchasing it as Clarity is being offered at a special introductory price of just $29 until May 31st (2013), simply use the code "claritynew".

After that Clarity will be $49.

I hope you enjoy the video below, if you're a subscriber you'll need to return to Weekly Photo Tips to watch it, or head directly over to our YouTube channel and watch it there.

Duty, Honor, Country...

2013-05-24T19:11:00.001-04:00

Back in 2008 I asked our readers to contribute images of their loved ones who they would like to have remembered and I would use those images to make a Memorial Day slideshow, below are the results of their contributions.

The first men featured are "The Lanni Brothers", they are my uncles, first generation Americans and they could not have been prouder of it.

It was because of their example that during a time when some were worried about being drafted, I enlisted.

Each year I mean to create another slideshow but always seem remember too late to get the process started, so forgive me for repeating it again this year.

If you are having trouble viewing this, or would like to view it larger, simply follow this link.

And if you would, please share this with others, because these brave men and women (and the others just like them) deserve to be remembered, to be honored.

It's Memorial Day weekend...

2013-05-24T18:53:00.000-04:00

Many look at this weekend as the official start of summer, as the weekend they open up their BBQ for the season, or because of all those sales... but it's about something so much more, it's about remembering, remembering those who have paid the ultimate price, those who have "gone on ahead".

Memorial Day was established over 150 years ago as a day of remembrance of those men and women who have died in the service of their country.

Which brings me to an important movie that I recently watched (yet again), Taking Chance.

I implore you to watch this little known, seldom seen true story about taking a fallen soldier home.

It's not pro war, it's not anti war... it's not about war period. It is about honor, dignity, and respect, Taking Chance tells the story of the final trip home for those who have given it all because they were asked.

Chance Phelps died in Iraq in 2004 and this movie is about his last trip home.

I promise that if you rent this movie you will be moved, and if you're not, if you think it was a waste of your time simply drop me an email and I will give you back double what ever you paid to rent it.

Because I think it's that important.

Please... kick off your summer, have that BBQ, and maybe even take in a sale, but if you would... please... remember too.

If you are a subscriber and won't see the video trailer because they are not pushed through, come back to the blog or view it on YouTube.

Do you love photography and to read?...

2013-05-23T09:09:00.000-04:00

(click on image to view larger, read easier)

Because if you love both photography and reading I could really use your help.

As I mention in my review of Scott Kelby's "The Digital Photography Book: Part 1", books for review are delivered on both a numerous and regular basis.

So much so that it would be impossible for me to read them all.

Here's how you can help me out, pick any one of the above books (first come first serve), and I will send it to you to read and write a review.

Not only will the book be yours to keep, we will also provide links back to you (your website, Flickr page, etc.) as part of your intro/bio that will be part of the posted review.

The only two things we ask is that you follow our review policy and have your review back to us in a two to three week time frame.

So after getting this far if you are still interested simply send us an email with your book of choice along with your snail mail address and we'll send your book right out to you.

You might want to include a second choice just in case your first choice is already gone.

UPDATE: all of the books have been claimed, thanks everyone...

The #1 selling photography book of all time...

2013-05-21T13:11:00.000-04:00

If you guessed the author was Scott Kelby then you would be correct.

One of the great benefits of writing this blog is that a few times each week I hear the familiar rumbling sound of the UPS truck coming down my street followed shortly there after buy the thud of a box hitting my front porch and in those boxes are the latest (and sometimes greatest) photography books.

The most recent book to go "thud" on my porch was the second edition of "The Digital Photography Book: Part 1" from Scott Kelby.

As soon as I opened the package and saw what it was (and who it was written by) I sat down and started thumbing through it.

My first thought while I paroozed through the index was "how is he going to cover all this stuff in a little book?".

Scott is able to cover such a vast amount of information because he keeps each topic to a single page, and less than a full page at that because there is a corresponding image (or two) to help drive home that point.

The book is an easy read because Scott's writing style which is a casual, conversational style of writing, like "hey Scott, do I need to get that 1.4 lens or the 1.8?". He answers in a paragraph why (for reasons other than just the cost savings) in most cases the 1.8 version of the lens would be a better choice. Answers that are short, to the point, and packed with knowledge. You won't find any long and rambling dissertations here.

(click on any image to view larger and make it easier to read)

Reading this book is like sitting down and being able to pepper Scott Kelby with one photography question after another and getting his expert advice in response. I know, because I have been lucky enough to do just that.

Another very cool feature of The Digital Photography Book: Part 1 is how this book is put together, you don't need to read it from the first page through to the last, you can start with the things you find most interesting and work your way to those less so. Jumping from subject to subject will take nothing away from the quality of the content.

And I could ramble on about all the things I like about this book and why, if you are a photographer looking for great information that will help improve your craft, this could very well be the book you have been looking for, but I won't.

Instead I will do something that in 1,300 posts written here on Weekly Photo Tips that I have done only once or twice... I will give you my personal guarantee, if you buy The Digital Photography Book: Part 1 and it isn't everything I said it is, I will buy it back from you.

Consider this, for under $14 you can get a book that will easily fit in your camera bag and stuff your mind with knowledge at the same time.

It's time for senior prom...

2013-05-19T12:04:00.004-04:00

Our Christmas card from Molly's first Christmas

The last few weeks the stress level in our house has been a bit higher than usual... because it has been filled with the drama that comes with the a fancy shmancy dress, bigger than normal hair, and all the other things that go with senior prom.

If you have been a friend at Weekly Photo Tips for very long you've seem my oldest daughter Molly grow up and this weekend she attended her senior prom.

I have celebrated Molly's birthday and shared her humor here on the blog because she is one of the things of which I am most proud.

And as my daughters reach more of these millstones, it means the day is getting ever closer when they'll be leaving for college, and the thought of them no longer being under my roof fills me with sadness.

The morning after her prom Molly said "thanks dad, you really made it awesome" which made every penny and all the effort worth it, and yes, it made me just a little emotional too.

Molly in her Wizard of Oz phase

At Homecoming

Senior Prom

If you are a Scott Kelby fan...

2013-05-16T15:07:00.003-04:00

And who isn't... Then this will be of interest to you!

You can save 71% on his DVD and book combo "Photo Recipes Live Part 2", right now it can be yours for just $12.99 and it also comes with free shipping (usually $44.95).

This is for the DVD/book version, not a download or a streaming video, but the hard copy in your hot little hands.

If you wonder how professional photographers use natural light, studio light, and direct daylight to get amazing shots, you’ll see it all in this DVD, as it happens.

Best of all, Scott explains everything in simple, plain, easy to understand and follow English, just like you're talking to a friend.

You can read our original review of "Photo Recipes Live Part 1" from Scott Kelby here.

The bad news is this offer is only good until May 18th (2013), so if you want "Photo Recipes Live Part 2" from Scott Kelby do not doddle.

Here is a two minute teaser video from Scott.

(subscribers will need to return to the blog to watch the video)

Two, no make that three bazillion free fonts...

2013-05-15T09:43:00.003-04:00

This is by far the single most popular post we have ever done on Weekly Photo Tips, so we have decided to edited and update our list of the best available free fonts out there to share with you here today.

Enjoy.

There are times when working on projects (for both yourself and clients) and the standard fonts you find on your computer just aren't doing it for you.

And the right font can really "make" the project pop (just as a bad font can sink it).

Below is list of websites that have way more FREE fonts than you ever knew existed.

1001 Free Fonts

Abstract Fonts

Acid Fonts

California Fonts

Chank Fonts

Creamundo.com

DaFont.com

Fonts.com

Font Fabric

Font Freak

Font River

Font Shop

Font Space

Font Squirrel

Free Fonts on Pinterest

Free Typography

Get Free Fonts

Google Fonts

Simply The Best Fonts

Urban Fonts

If you download any of these fonts for a project I (and your fellow Weekly Photo Tippers) would love to see the final results so email me a screenshot or join our Flickr group and post it there.

A very nice carbon fiber tripod...

2013-05-15T08:24:00.001-04:00

If you are in the market for a tripod you should consider the new Flashpoint F-2228N Version II Carbon Fiber Tripod.

It has a maximum height 65", when closed is just 22", will support up to 22 pounds and comes with both spiked and rubber feet.

This tripod usually sells for $219 but is on sale for $99 (with free shipping).

You may want to consider the F-9 Compact Tripod Ball Head with Quick Release to top it off.

It to is on sale for just $44 and also has free shipping.

Hey mom, happy Mothers Day!

2013-05-12T12:35:00.001-04:00

Yes I may be 50 (something), but I am still a mommas boy.

My mom was a single parent of 5 (2 girls, 3 boys) and we were poor (though I didn't know it when I was younger). We lived in the projects in the Boston area and my mom struggled to make ends meet with some pretty crappy jobs, cleaning other peoples homes and taking in their laundry.

The two things I remember most from those times were being happy and always having an outstanding Christmas. No matter what the year had held for us, when Christmas came it was magical. It seemed no matter what we had asked for from Santa, we would find it under the tree on Christmas morning.

I knew there just had to be a Santa because there was no way my mom could afford to buy us these things.

Well, when I got a little older, I knew the big man was more myth than man but I couldn't figure out how my mom did it, how she made Christmas "happen". Because by then understood clearly, we were poor.

Then one day I happened upon five envelopes that were all rubber banned together. One had my name on it and the others had the names of my brothers and sisters. Each envelope had the exact same amount of money in it, all in one dollar bills and loose change.

Then it dawned on me, after a long day of cleaning houses my mom would take some of that days money and split it evenly between those 5 envelopes. And she would do this after every basket of laundry, after every dirty house, all year long. So by the time Christmas came, mom could make the magic happen.

Though at the time I understood the process, I could not fully appreciate all her hard work and all that sacrifice until I was older.

As I write this it still amazes me.

And I know why we were happy, because we were loved.

Well, it's time to head to mom's. My daughters love this for several reasons, not the least of which is that when I walk through her door I am no longer their dad, I am my mothers son. They get a kick seeing me in that role.

The picture below is from a few years back, the girls made my mom a cake that looked like a platter of spaghetti and meatballs (cream cheese "spaghetti" frosting, strawberry "sauce" topping).

Happy Mothers Day mom, I love you!