Weekly Photography Tips

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!

The Home Depot lighting demonstration...

2013-05-10T08:23:00.000-04:00

When most people think about light (like me before I got my first big boy camera) it comes down to it being either bright or dark, but as photographers we quickly learn that it's much more than just light or the absence there of, its about what color (or what temperature) that light is.

Well, when wondering through Home Depot the other day I saw this new display the perfectly demonstrates the color temperature of light.

What's even cooler (no pun intended) is when you stick your hand under each of the lights and see what it does to your skin tone. If you find yourself in Home Depot (or other store with a similar display) you should give it a try.

Click on either image to view larger and better see the "color of light" given off by different light sources.

Seeing these different colors makes it easier to understand why it can be so hard to get the tone of a persons skin correct when you shoot them in a room that has one (or more) of these lights (and even harder when you throw a Speedlight in that mix).

To learn more be sure to check out this really well done article "Reproducing Real World Light".

In the mean time, here is a 8 minute video from one of my favorite guys talking about white balance, Mark Wallace.

Not only does he talk about white balance, but walks you though how to udjust the settings in your camera to componsate/match the light you are shooting under.

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

Depth of field... in depth...

2013-05-06T10:37:00.002-04:00

Today we are going to talk a bit about depth of field, and I'll give you several visual representations of what it looks like.

Here is an image of what the aperture blades look like in a lens (though they are technically known as the "focal plane diaphragm blades"), the wider they are open the more light comes flooding in and the wider the blades are open the more shallow your "focal plane" becomes (meaning the things in front of and behind the object you are focusing on will be blurry).

The lower your f/stop is set (say f/1.4), the wider those blades are open.

The sample images below were shot with a Nikon 60mm f/2.8G AF-S Micro lens, so the lowest the aperture can be set at is f/2.8 (aka "wide open"). When any lens is wide open (lowest f/value) you won't even see the blades, all you'll see is a round hole.

There is also a direct correlation with your f/stop and shutter speed, a lower f/stop (number) will allow you to shoot at a higher shutter speed. When photographing a wedding (or reception) for example you may have low light and don't want to (or can't) use a flash, by dropping your f/stop you can bump up your shutter speed.

I could ramble on, but I am more of a visual kinda guy, so here are a few examples I shot this morning, the lighting was not changed for any of the shots, the only changes were to the f/stop and shutter speed.

Notice that as the f/stop increases the blades begin to close, and if you want to keep the exposure the same you need to decrease the shutter speed, and as this is going on the depth of field becomes deeper.

(click on any image to view larger)

I am a huge fan of Mark Wallace, in the 7 minute video below he does a very nice job explaining depth of field.

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

Is your mom a photographer?

2013-05-03T11:56:00.001-04:00

Because of she is we have some pretty good deals on possible Mothers Day gifts.

Keep in mind that ALL these deals come with free shipping, and we use every penny of every affiliate check to help feed the hungry (thank you for your support).

Lexar 32GB Professional 400x SDHC UHS-I Memory Card - $34.95

SanDisk 16GB ExtremePRO SDHC Memory Card, 95MB Read Speed - $37.95

There are an assortment of Canon point and shoots come with rebates AND a free Gift Card!

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard AutoFocus Lens - USA - $310

Regular price is $349, the special price (after you "add to cart") is $310 it also comes with 6% Adorama rewards. (Price after rewards $292)

Save up to $50 with select Tokina lenses

There are three different Nikon D3100 bundles:

1 - Nikon D3100 14.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm NIKKOR DX Lens & 55-200mm NIKKOR DX Lens - $496

2 - Nikon D3100 14.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm NIKKOR VR Lens & 55-200mm NIKKOR VR Lens - $596

3 - Nikon D3100 14.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm DX Lens & 55-200mm DX Lens - Bundle - with 55-300mm VR Lens - $746

Canon EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR Camera Body, 18 Megapixel, Full HD Movie Mode - U.S.A. Warranty

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Standard AutoFocus Lens - USA Warranty

Red Giant Adorama Production Bundle, Software for PC/Mac

Displayed price is $799, after you "add to cart" the final price is $648

There are three different Canon EOS-6D bundles:

1 - Canon EOS-6D Digital SLR Camera Body, 20.2 Megapixel - Bundle - with 32GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card, Adorama Slinger Photo Video Bag - $1899

2 - Canon EOS-6D Digital SLR Camera Body - Bundle - with Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens, 32GB 200x SDHC Memory Card, Camera Carrying Case - $2149

3 - Canon EOS-6D Digital SLR Camera Kit with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens

this bundle includes FREE (you must select the Buy Together and Save option and scroll to the correct package and add it to the cart)

* - Lexar 16GB Professional 400x SDHC UHS-I Memory Card for Cameras

* - Canon 100-EG Custom Gadget Bag

* - Canon Monopod 500, 5 Section Leg with Mini Ball Head, Height: 21.9" to 64.5"

* - Flashpoint Zoom Lever Gear Ring

* - Flashpoint Swivi HD DSLR LCD Universal Foldable Viewfinder with 3.0X Magnification

* - Flashpoint VL-35, Camera & Video 35 LED Light with Bracket

Total for this package is - $2399

Canon EOS-5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera Body Kit with Canon EF 24-105L Image Stabilized Lens

Displayed price is $3899, after you "add to cart" the final price is $3799

It's Flickr Wednesday...

2013-05-01T10:07:00.003-04:00

Thanks to everyone over at our Flickr group for adding such great imagery.

Not sure how, but they just keep getting better and better.

Click on any one of the images to view larger.

Enjoy, I sure did picking them out.

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.

Photography self assignments, a good idea?...

2013-04-30T10:04:00.002-04:00

Yes!

Self assignments are an outstanding idea, because if done correctly it will have us taking pictures during what would normally be a down time (photographically) along with challenging our skills and thus ourselves.

To that end, I found out that there was going to be a Taste of Home cooking show here in southern Maine and I thought this would make a great self assignment.

I had to make a few phone calls and send more than handful of emails to finally get the permission to go and it was well worth the effort.

This was a challenge because I had never photographed an event like this and there are a lot of components to it, lots of things going on, and I would have control of absolutely nothing. Not the light, not the surroundings, not the people, not a thing.

Yup, a perfect self assignment

There were two things I did have to do, stay out of the way while taking photographs that would represent "the day".

Shortly I will share more about the show and Taste of Home, but today I want to share my single favorite shot of the day, it was of chef Michael Barna, this was his day, his show. He was who the people had come to see. Not too much pressure.

Chef Barna had a packed house (almost a thousand people) and his job was to cook, to teach, and to be entertaining all at the same time. Heck, if I was standing in front of a crowd like that I couldn't do even one of those things, never mind all three.

Back to the photograph and why I like it, Chef Barna had about ten assistants and helpers supporting him for the show and he was a blur of activity, getting all the ingredients ready, giving each person their assignments, and making sure everyone understood the big things and the small (like exactly where the potholders should be placed and how dishes were to be washed).

All while greeting visitors who were brought back stage to meet him.

But there was one moment just before the show began, while Chef Barna was standing back stage and everyone was off taking care of those last minute details when I snapped this image. For just a second he was perfectly still and somewhere else, I don't know if he was thinking about the show that was about to start or if he was a million miles away with a margarita in his hand and digging his toes into warm sand on the beach.

I do know it was a moment of quiet contemplation.

(click on any image to view larger)

Whenever I need a good laugh...

2013-04-27T09:20:00.000-04:00

Or even when I only need a smile, I watch this video.

I dare you to watch it and NOT laugh. Seriously.

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

More good news from Adobe...

2013-04-26T11:22:00.004-04:00

Adobe has announced a new tool within Photoshop called "Shake Reduction", a phenomenal tool for those photographs taken in low light situations.

This will be life saver for wedding photographers who regularly have to shoot in those dark, poorly lit churches and reception halls.

The only question I have (for now) is will "Shake Reduction" be added to the current version of Photoshop, or the version upcoming.

I have my fingers crossed for the current version option.

Check out the 45 second video below for a demonstration of shake reduction in action.

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

An accidental photo shoot…

2013-04-25T07:55:00.000-04:00

Since Weekly Photo Tips first started back in 2007 we've received well over 100 packages containing photo gear for review and I have never EVER done an "unboxing" before, for no particular reason other than I just never found cardboard, packing tape, and bubble wrap to be all that interesting.

That all changed on Monday.

That's the day my Ruck Strap camera strap arrived from Hold Fast Gear.

The first thing I noticed when I picked up the package were the markings on the outside of the box, I thought "hey, that's cool" but when I cracked open the box I knew I had to stop, grab my camera, and document the grand unboxing.

The deeper I got into the box the more impressed I became with the thought and care that went into the packaging of a single camera strap.

These are the images I grabbed as I made my way to the Ruck Strap.

Keep in mind this is not our review of the camera strap, that will follow later, but for now I will say that as impressive as the packaging was, the Ruck Strap blew that all away.

(click on any image to view larger)

Lightroom 5 is now in free public beta!...

2013-04-23T08:57:00.000-04:00

Yup, just follow this link and you can download the free public beta of Adobe Lightroom 5 and play with it until your mouse wears out or the end of June (2013), whichever comes first.

And trust me, you'll want to jump on board as there are some pretty significant changes and improvements.

Two that I really like are the improved healing:

And "Upright":

(click on either image to view larger)

Once you've downloaded it you'll want to know what it can do and learn the new features, there are already several outstanding resources that will help you learn, the first is the Adobe Lightroom 5 YouTube channel, another is from Kelby Training, the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Launch Center, and lastly Lr 5 beta resources from the Lightroom Journal.

The first two resources have a bunch of well done instructional videos demonstrating the very new and the very cool features that you will find in Lightroom 5.

If you are wondering if you should try Lightroom 5 the answer is HELL YES!

But don't just take my word for it it, check out the "7 hottest features" as demonstrated by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski in the video below.

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

"Secret" Nikon D800 firmware update...

2013-04-22T10:12:00.003-04:00

I often visit the Nikon Download Center to check for Software and firmware updates, and I go there for two reasons.

Reason one, if you use Nikon software (View NX, Capture NX, etc.) and use the "check for updates" option within the software you are using chances are really good that it will respond by telling you that there are no updates available when in fact there are, so I check "manually".

Reason two, if there is a firmware update for my cameras I want to know it and apply it sooner rather than later. It's not uncommon to see a firmware update for a new camera in the months following its release, so I was surprised that I haven't seen a firmware update for the Nikon D800.

But for some reason this weekend when I checked and saw that it was the same firmware version (A 1.00/B 1.02) I decided to click on it anyway, low and behold there is a new Firmware version (A 1.01/B 1.02 released 4/2/13).

Before folks start emailing me, I know its not meant to be a "secret" update, it's simply an error on the main page, I just wanted to let all of you Nikon D800 (and D800E) users know there is a firmware update available for your camera and you can get it right here.

And for ALL Nikonians out there, you might want to bookmark these pages, the Nikon Software Download Center, which is where you will find software updates, free software, and free trials and the Nikon Firmware Page, is where you'll find updates for Speedlights, DSLR's, and most other Nikon hardware.

One last link you might be interested in is the Nikon Support Center, you'll find the links to download all available manuals in PDF format.

Some really bad voices...

2013-04-20T14:53:00.000-04:00

That come together to make some beautiful music.

This video is from the Boston Bruins home game played on Wednesday night, two days after the bombing at the Boston Marathon this past Monday (and before the madness that followed on Thursday and Friday).

It is profoundly touching when a community forgets its differences and comes together as one.

Video: Anthem unites Boston fans
And as usual, if you got this post via a subscription you'll need to head back to Weekly Photo Tips to watch it (sorry it does not come through).

Check out this sale on photography stuff...

2013-04-18T10:20:00.004-04:00

Couple of things to keep in mind regarding theses sale items, first is that they all come with free shipping AND second, 100% of every single affiliate check goes towards supporting local food pantries here in southern Maine.

So if you happened to need any of this stuff you will be getting it at great price and at the same time helping those in need, thank you.

Click on the price to head directly to the product page.

Sony 32GB UHS1 R40 Class 10 High Speed SDHC/SDXC Memory Card - $19.90

Lexar 32GB Professional 400x CompactFlash Card - $69.95

Lexar 16GB Professional 1000x CompactFlash Memory Card - $77.95

Lexar 32GB Professional 1000x CompactFlash Memory Card, 2 Pack - $249

Spyder Digital PowerShadow i4 Battery Case & Charge/Sync Dock for iPhone 4/4S - $49

The Joy Factory Tournez C-Clamp Mount with MagConnect for Apple iPad 2 & 3 - $49.99

Adobe Photoshop CS6 Image Editing Software for Windows - $499

This special price is for the Windows version only and you will see the "regular" price when you go to the product page, use coupon code S5698745 during checkout to get the special price.

This above image is what the checkout screen will look like and where you'll enter the coupon code.

Fujifilm X20 Digital Camera, 12 Megapixel,28-112mm F2-2.8 Lens - Silver - $599

It is available in both Silver and Black.

Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera AND AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens - $799

Boston...

2013-04-17T10:10:00.001-04:00

Boston is my home town, it's where I grew up, and where I go to visit my family, so the bombing on Monday literally hit close to home for me. The first thing my daughter asked when we saw the news was "is that near grandmas house?", I felt fortunate to be able to say no.

One of the things I love about America is how we unite, how our differences are quickly brushed aside and we stand arm in arm in the face of danger and disaster.

So today I just want to share some of the images that have moved me and that reflect that spirit.

Season 2, episode 1 of The Photography Podcast...

2013-04-15T13:04:00.001-04:00

Welcome to season two, episode one of The Photography Podcast.

Today we are proud to announce that we are giving away 100% of our affiliate sales, do a quick review (more like a gushing) of the Scott Kelby iPad App Light It, and finish with an interview with commercial photography Erik Almas.

So here we go, and in order:

1. For awhile now we have been giving away 50% of all of our affiliate sales to support two food banks and one soup kitchen here in southern Maine, but have decided that these projects (and all the families that they support) need this money far more than we do. So if you are looking for photography gear if you buy it using our Adorama affiliate links you will get great prices, equally as good customer service and will be helping those who are truly in need.

2. We have been Scott Kelby for some time and we love his iPad App since its inception, there are many things to love about it and you can find on iTunes, on the web, and I would strongly suggest you check our our originally review on Weekly Photo Tips. Not only can you read all the details of what makes it a great resource for photographers, you'll also how to get two complete issues for free.

3. And finally, our interview with photographer extraordinaire Erik Almas. Our interviewer is a guest as well, it's Mike Bowker, studio manager and digital retouch artist of the studios of Irvin Serrano.

Mike has been a big fan of Erik and also wrote the outstanding review of Erik's DVD "Aspects of Image Making". You can read the entire review over at the blog. Here are just a few shots from Erik's gallery, you will really want to visit his website and check out more of his stunning work.

Click on any of these images to view larger.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this interview and am sure you will as well and hope you enjoy episode 11 as much as we enjoyed making it for you.

You can listen to the podcast below, or head over to The Photography Podcast.

Veterans, their dogs... and coming home...

2013-04-13T07:52:00.004-04:00

If you want a smile on your face and feeling of warmth inside then take just four minutes and watch this "best of" video of veterans being welcomed home by their four legged friends.

It's heartwarming to watch, and amazing to hear how vocal some of the dogs are.

If you got this post via your subscription you'll need to return to Weekly Photo Tips to watch the video as they are not pushed through with your subscription (sorry).

Today is a (late) Flickr Wednesday...

2013-04-10T21:56:00.001-04:00

On Flickr Wednesday we usually feature images from just one photographer in our Flickr group, but today we are going to show images from a handful of our readers/photographers.

Click on any of the images to view larger, trust me, it's worth it to see them larger..

"Untitled"

"Cerritos Star Storm"

"Bar Harbor"

"Lotus"

"Pleasure Pier"

"Silhouette"

"Ghost Tube"

"Harlan J. Smith Milkyway Pano"

This last image was really quite interesting and this is how it was created - with colorful papers, under a glass jar filled with some water and oil. And it's perfectly titled. ;)

"And now something completely different"

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