From May 2012 onwards Venus will be lower in the sky day after day and its shape will get bigger and thinner until it crosses the disk of the Sun on June 5/6 2012, an event that won’t happen again for 105 years. While waiting for the transit you can shoot Venus with almost any equipment.

With a wide angle lens shoot Venus in the context of some landscape, it’s bright at twilight so you will have beautiful light in the sky and the landscape.

A star filter can be used to create diffraction spikes, Venus is so bright that the effect will really look interesting. Cheap star filters are enough. See more in my article about using filters for night-time photography.

With a tripod you can shoot a small sequence or timelapse of Venus setting, a shot every 15 or 30 seconds will work as Venus really goes down fast at dusk.

If you have a telephoto lens you can certainly try to resolve the crescent shape of Venus, the trick is not avoid overexposing the planet. Lowering the exposure and focusing carefully you will be able to see a small crescent shape, it will get a little bigger and a little thinner day after day. Any telephoto from 200mm and up is fine to do this.

If you have a telescope you can use an adapter and shoot Venus at prime focus. Being so bright you don’t need a long exposure so there’s no need for a tracking mount or special equipment, just focus and shoot. The crescent shape will be clear.

On May 22 Venus will be close to the crescent moon. Let’s see if you can get them both in a crescent shape in the same photo!

When asked to describe his work, Behrouz said the following:

“Behind Zardo, my real name is Behrouz Riahi. I’m born in 1985. I am Belgian and I live in Bruxelles. I am a Psychologist. I really began photography when I was 19 years old and have pursued it actively for 7 years. Before taking pictures I liked writing some dark poetry. The problem was that illustrating my thoughts only with words soon became too restricted. I wanted to show how I saw the world. It is why I began with photomanipulation before photography. But the problem with photomanipulation is the fact that it is not real. With photos and the technique I use, I found the way to show the world as I see it.

I am a self-taught person as far as photography is concerned. When I see a really good photo I wonder how it was made and how I could make it myself. To take my photos, I like going to the old part of cities and to places with stunning landscapes where there is nobody. Everywhere I go, I take my camera with me. Firstly, for me, the ideal place is deserted. I hate having people on my photos. It is one of the most difficult parts of the job. Secondly, it has to contain some old buildings with a Gothic architectural style. And finally, there should be a tormented sky where clouds are tempestuous. Maybe one day, I will find the perfect conditions. But does perfection really exist?

I have been influenced by a lot of artists in various ways. The movies by Tim Burton and the beauty of his images is one of them. I am also influenced by the great imagination of two Belgian painters: Magritte and Delvaux. The surrealistic look of their paintings always makes me dream.

As a conclusion, I would like to say that photography is a way for me to leave a world and live in another. When I take my photographs, time stops. There is nobody with me. Photography is a method for me to share with others what is inside me. It is a pleasure to take them and then to share them.”

You can view more of Behrouz’s work on his portfolio site, and follow him on Facebook. He is also one of the most well-known photographers on deviantART, with an enormous following.

Darwin’s work is described below:

“Darwin Wiggett is an Alberta, Canada based photographer, self taught and specializing in landscape, nature, dogs, environment, and story-telling portraits. Darwin is well known for photo workshops, tours, seminars that he and his life partner Samantha Chrysanthou give in Canada. Both photographers have a line of popular and acclaimed instructional photography and photo guide eBooks. And both frequently write articles about photography in national magazines, newspapers and online. To learn more about Darwin and Samantha’s offerings, to get free tips and techniques or to hear about their adventures head on over to oopoomoo.com.”

To see more of Darwin’s work, you can visit his portfolio site, where you can also find his collection of eBooks and guides. You can also follow his work on Facebook, or watch his videos on YouTube.

Melinda has started a 365 project, so if you would like to see more of her work, check out her Flickr Photostream.

Read me

Arc de Triomphe

Close your eyes and make a wish

Spring is near

Church facade in Orleans

Work in progress

Do you have a girlfriend?

All cupcakes go to heaven

Las Vegas

My Prayer