photography exposure

Shovel Point Towards Palisade Head

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:42:00 +0000

Standing atop Dance of the Sugar-Plump Faeries on Shovel Point. The weather cleared up somewhat and we were able to get a few cold climbs in. This is definitely one of the classic routes in northern Minnesota. The turquoise water and eagles flying below you give this climb a unique feeling.

The state park has placed some large anchors for top-roping the Dance. This route is very popular due to the fact that photography is relatively easy because of the adjacent rocks.

St. Croix River

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:38:00 +0000

Here's another shot from my last trip to Taylor Falls. While we were setting our anchors for the top rope I snapped a few shots of very scenic St. Croix river. Again, this photo is an example of the great versatility that my rugged new Olympus 850 SW provides. I can bring it with anywhere and not have to worry about rain, snow, cold, water, shock.

This is a similar shot, which one do you like better?

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Went to Taylors Falls in MN yesterday, the weather was wet at first but everything eventually dried out an we were able to get some great bouldering and rock climbing in.

This photo was of the huge area with little pools carved into the rock. Too bad the water wasn't clean and clear. All the pools were a bright green.

Foggy Trip Home

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:24:00 +0000

A foggy trip back to Bayfield on Lake Superior.. We were spoiled with hot weather and light winds the day before - Superior knows how to show you who's boss.

This photograph is a great example of why I ended up getting the Olympus 850 SW. I like that I can have the camera out over water without worrying. It doesn't float so I usually attach a big floating key chain when I'm around water but it's just care free photography...

I'll do a review and write up some pros and cons after I've had the camera for a while longer. So good so far.

Sun setting over Presque Isle Bay on Lake Superior

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:28:00 +0000

Straight Edge

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:17:00 +0000

Check out the straight line in the rock. This was one of the many cool rock formations I saw on Stockton Island while hiking around.

Mushroom on Stockton Island

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:54:00 +0000

I found this mushroom relatively quickly while visiting Stockton island on Lake Superior which is part of the Apostle Island cluster.

Once we started to hike around we found many more varieties on this island. I've never seen so many colors of mushrooms - blues, purples, reds, yellows, greens and pinks.

silent story

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:05:00 +0000

Mexico

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:59:00 +0000

We had to let him go after he came out so he can start prepping for his trip to Mexico, my girlfriend Anna named him Monty...

Monarch Chrysalis With Wings Visible

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:58:00 +0000

It was pretty cool to see the chrysalis go from a green color to being able to see the wings.

Monarch Chrysalis

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Last week I was trimming one of our pine trees and found a little monarch caterpillar crawling around. I put it in my empty fish tank with lots of milkweed, a small dish of water and some twigs. Just a couple days later it crawled up to the top and hung in a 'J' shape for about a day. The next thing I knew the caterpillar had shed another layer of skin and had created this little chrysalis.

I'll be sure to get some pictures of the butterfly though before I release it.

Art Sculpture From The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 04:24:00 +0000

This statue entitled "Crest of the Wave" by Harriet Frishmuth was crafted in 1925 and is considered one of her finest creations.

Visit the Como Zoo web site to learn more

Guest Photography Post by: Sarah Scrafford

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:56:00 +0000

What to Look for in an Online Photography Course
There’s always an eyebrow raised when you tell people you earned your degree online, but there are some times when an online education is more advantageous than enrolling in a regular college. You get to balance work and study, you can earn as you learn, you don’t have to commute to school everyday, and you can set your own study schedule. While photography is a discipline that’s best learned hands-on, there are times when you’re forced to take an online course in the hope of furthering your career. You can make the whole experience worthwhile if you’re careful about your school choice. Here’s what you must look for when selecting an online course:

The right credentials: Any school you choose must be accredited, as must the degree you’re opting for. Make sure you check out the credentials of the institution before you send any money – ask around, browse the Internet, contact the school itself – just make sure that your time and money are not wasted.
Challenging assignments: Try and get your hands on the course curriculum before you enroll, and make sure it includes challenging assignments that test your skill and mettle. It’s not just enough that you pass your course, you need to come out with a full-fledged experience in photography and all its affiliated disciplines.
Hands-on training: Online courses are not known for their practical side, but photography is an that is mastered only with continuous practice. And practice comes only with practical lessons. So look for a school near you because you need easy access during the hands-on training sessions.
The specialty you’re interested in: You may want to focus on one area of photography, so choose a school that offers comprehensive instruction in the specialization of your choice.
Enough free time for yourself: You need to make time to practice what you’ve learned, so ensure that your course does not focus too much on theoretical details that are really not necessary and that you have enough time on your hands to practice the skills you’ve learned. It takes years and years of experience to become a great photographer and there’s no harm in getting a head start while you’re at school. Digital cameras have made it cost effective to use a trial-and-error method to refine your skills and pictures, so use them to your advantage.

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, she invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.

lynx

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:44:00 +0000

I got this photo of a Lynx at the Minnesota Zoo, this was one of my favorite animals to watch there. It kept climbing around and then it would stop and it almost looked like it was going to pounce on something.

The paws on this lynx were intense, just imagine getting swatted with one of those things in the face..

Weekly Photography Video Tip

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:26:00 +0000

I hope everyone is having fun and taking lots of pictures this holiday season. I was trying to find a video that really shows you how to take artistic pictures with any camera - it's all about framing. I found this video "Top Digital Photography tips: Arranging Your Shot" from momphotographer on YouTube.

One thing I really liked was the way she talked about photography being easy for anyone and it doesn't take an amazing camera to get quality shots that capture your attention. Framing is a huge part of getting an image that really catches your eye because this is where the artistic quality comes in.

Do you have any photography tips to add on to the suggestions from this video? Leave a comment.

We've Got a Winner!

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:44:00 +0000

The winner of the "winter contest, name the plant in the photo" from last week is Tom Arbour and, Tom is the featured artist in last weeks photography interview.

click here to read part one of the interview

The contest was to find out what the name of the plant was that appeared in the post. The winning answer was "Abutilon theophrasti, or velvet leaf."

The prizes were either 500 Entrecard credits or a link to your blog. Tom chose the link and also participated in an interview. I learned a few things and found out about a couple new photography websites.

click here to check out Tom's photography

Check out one of the previous photographer interviews, click on a link below:

Weekly Photographer Interview, Tom Arbour Part 2

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:46:00 +0000

This is part two of the weekly photographer interview with Tom Arbour.

Click here for part 1

Q: What is your dream photography location?

A: I don't have a dream photography location. My goal is to make interesting and life lasting images wherever I am- be it in a nature preserve in Ohio, Maine, or on my couch. I have been to Australia and to Malaysia- I wish I knew what I know about photography now when I first visited those places in 1999 and 2001, respectively. Having today's digital technology back then would have been nice too.

Q: Which photography website/blog do you visit often?
A: First and foremost, I love FLICKR. It is quite possibly the coolest Web 2.0 product out there. There are so many creative people on this planet is blows my mind. Half of them must have accounts on FLICKR. I enjoy the popphoto flash blog, always am interested by what Ken Rockwell has to say, Rocer Cicala at Lensrentals.com with his data on lens reliabilty, who in turn got me on to reading the diglloyd blog by Lloyd Chambers.

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
A: I have been inspired the natural world around me. It is it which inspires me to take photographs.

Q: Have you taken any classes or workshops on photography?
A: This past winter quarter I took an Introduction to Digital Photography at Columbus State Community College. Columbus state has a very new digital photography associates degree program. Next quarter I'm taking the beginning photoshop for photographers course.

Q: Mac or PC?
A: PC, although I have recently acquired a Mac for "fiddling around with" I have a friend that is trying to convert me to MAC.

Image by Tom Arbour

I hope you enjoyed this interview, I found a couple new websites and learned a little. You can subscribe via RSS in the sidebar to get updates about new posts. Thanks, Evan.

Weekly Photographer Interview, Tom Arbour Part 1

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:16:00 +0000

I'm a little late this week with the photographer interview, I didn't get it up for Wednesday so I'm just going to call it the weekly interview from now on. It's a good one today though, the artist this week is Tom Arbour from Tom Arbour Photography. Information about purchasing prints is available here.

Q: What camera do you use, what features do you like about it?
A: My main camera is the Canon digital rebel XTi. I like that is it is small, lightweight, and easy for me to take most places. And I can pop pretty much any EOS lens that Canon makes on to it and get great images with it. I have sold many photos taken with the "entry level" XTi via microstock sites like Istockphoto and shutterstock. I recently needed a pocket camera, and I went with the Panasonic LZ8. It is small, lightweight, black in color which I think looks cool, and best of all, it was under 100 bucks. I also use my wife's Kodak p850 zoom, which I have taken some great pictures with. Everyone should have a superzoom if interested in nature photography. I carry it when I don't want to lug around by shoulder bag of SLR equiptment and I can get some great shots.

Q: If you could only choose one lens, which one would it be?
A: If I could choose one lens in my bag that I own now, it would be the Canon EFS 60mm F2.8 macro. It is the best lens that I own, optically speaking. I find macro photography addictive, plus it is great focal length for portraits. It works well for isolated portions of a distant landscape.

Q: What is your favorite non-camera accessory?
A: My favorite non-camera accessory? I like my Wolverine MVP. It is a sixty gigabyte hardrive/memory card reader./ sound recorder/ mp3 player. I use it to store and view images while I'm on vacation and don't want to take a laptop.

Q: What piece of equipment do you wish you had.
A: If I could pick one piece of photo equiptment to own, I'd choose the Canon 10-22 efs lens. I've rented this piece of glass from lensrentals.com, and I was blown away with the creative possibilities it afforded me.

Q: What photo editing software do you use?
A: I process my RAW images using Canon's Digital Photo Professional. I recently upgraded the software and found many new features available from the version that came with my camera. Several of these new features are available "in camera" on Canon's new cameras, and this software gives me lots of power to adjust contrast, play with the tone curves, increase saturation, clone out dust, and fix distortion. It is a great piece of software, it is free, and I think it is a great reason to go with Canon if you are just starting out in the digital SLR world. For other adjustments that DPP can't do, I use the freeware Paint.net.

Image by Tom Arbour

click here for part 2 of the interview
(comments are enabled in part two of the interview)

winter contest, name the plant in the photo

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:40:00 +0000

This photo is a different angle of an image from an earlier post. In that post I had tried to figure out what this plant was called. It is still unresolved and anyone who can name what type of plant this seed head belongs to will receive 500 Entrecard credits or a link to their blog.

So I guess I'm starting a contest - to enter just leave a comment about what you think this plant in the photo might be. For another view you can look at this image.

Winner will choose their prize
• 500 Entrecard credits
- or -
• Link to their blog

Weekly Photography Video Tip

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:54:00 +0000

Every week I'll be bringing you a new video tip form somewhere on the web. Today the video comes from user davidxtejada on YouTube. In this video he gives some very helpful tips about how to get great portrait photos.

I hope you enjoyed this photography video tip, subscribe via email or RSS to get free updates from Photography Exposure. Have any tips to add to this? Leave some comments.

Minnesota

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 01:36:00 +0000

Here's a guest photo post from my brother Nathan. I especially like some of the photos he's taken with a Holga camera, I'll probably post a few of those in the future. This image was taken with an Olympus point and shoot though, different camera formats have always been interesting to me. I took a film photography class in high school and really enjoyed the mechanics of it. Here's Nate's picture though:

Image by Nathan Johnson

I took this shot in Feb 2007 after a pretty healthy snow. The change of seasons was always what I loved best about living in Minnesota. The scenery looks so different from month to month and it provides a healthy rhythm for life.

Photographer Interview, Debbie Hartmann Part 2

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:44:00 +0000

This is part 2 of the interview with Debbie Hartmann.

click here for part one

"Tiny Rainbow" by Debbie Hartmann

Q: What is your dream photography location?
A: My favorite place to take photographs is at a Heron/Egret Rookery on the Mississippi River near St. Paul. You can only get there by Canoe or Kayak... and it is a bird paradise. I go there once or twice a year by myself... I would go more but it is quite hard paddling my canoe by myself and trying to take photos at the same time. So once or twice a year is good for me.

Q: Which photography website/blog do you visit often?
A: Oh there are so many. I am continually inspired by some wonderful photographers out there. I visit photoblogs on Pixyblog.com on an almost daily basis. Pixyblog is a photo community that hosts my photoblog... and there are some really great photographers that have sites there. I visit
so many photography websites I couldn't even begin to list them. There is just a lot of really great work out there!

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
A: Annie Liebovitz and Jim Brandenburg. My photography is nothing like Annie Liebovitz... but I absolutely love her work and I try to read every thing about her that I can. Jim Brandenburg is a nature photographer from Ely, Minnesota. His photography is truly something to aspire to. He also has a great down-to-earth attitude. Look up his work. It is inspiring.

Q: Have you taken any classes or workshops on photography?
A: I took a few courses years ago in college, and I occasionally take a workshop to be around other fellow photographers. I gave myself a bit of an internship the last few years where I helped a photographer friend from Ely shoot weddings. Even though I like to shoot nature and wildlife, photographing people I didn't know helped me a lot with my photography. Plus it got me out in nature. After every wedding I would go hiking and see what I could find to photograph. I do read a lot of photography books... and learn photoshop skills from NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals). But most of what I have learned is from just going outside with my camera and taking photos.

Q: Mac or PC?
A: Mac. Always and Forever. I LOVE my Mac!

Photographer Interview, Debbie Hartmann Part 1

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:04:00 +0000

Today is the Wednesday photographer interview. The artist being interviewed for this week is Debbie Hartmann from paddletrampphotography.com. Information about purchasing prints is available here.

Tell me a little about yourself: I like to go out into nature with my camera and photograph nature and wildlife. Sometimes I hike, but my idea of a really great time is to go canoeing in my beautiful red canoe and bring my camera along.

During the week I am a full-time preschool teacher where I have worked for 20 years, and a part-time photo retoucher and graphic artist at a portrait photography studio where I have worked for 7 years.

"Magical Moment" by Debbie Hartmann

Q: What camera do you use, what features do you like about it?
A: I currently use a Canon 30D. I have always used Canon equipment, so what I like the most about it is the familiarity of it each time I upgrade. I also think it is pretty intuitive to use. I am not opposed to other brands, it is just that I have always used Canons so I stick with them because then I can keep using my lenses with each camera.

Q: If you could only choose one lens, which one would it be?
A: I would choose my 28-200 telephoto lens. I use that lens most of the time. I like to keep things very simple with equipment, following the philosophy that it is now how much equipment you have, it is how well you use what you have.

Q: What is your favorite non-camera accessory?
A: A pad of paper and a pencil to write down ideas.

Q: What piece of equipment do you wish you had.
A: A really wide angle lens.

Q: What photo editing software do you use?
A: The only software I use is Photoshop CS3. There are so many other softwares out there that could be helpful, but I am keeping the same "keep it simple" philosophy. So instead of buying hundreds of dollars of software that needs to be continually upgraded, I am just learning photoshop really, really well.

click here for part 2

greater sulphur-crested cockatoo

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:16:00 +0000

I've been really busy recently, I just got a new job and after the first week I'm finally starting to relax into the new schedule.

There hasn't been a lot of my photos up on the blog lately but I hope you've enjoyed the new interview feature, I plan on making it a weekly series highlighting some of my favorite photographers and their work.

I was at the Minnesota Zoo last week and we stopped at the World of Birds show. The small indoor theater ended up packed but we got in there early and found some good seats up front. If anyone is in the Minneapolis St. Paul area I would recommend looking into this.

They would release birds and let them fly around the room, some of them actually touched the top of your head with their wings as they flew over. The owls were amazing to see so close but my favorite bird was this white and yellow Greater Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo.

If you enjoyed this post please subscribe via email or RSS in the sidebar then leave me some comments below.

thanks

Saturday Video

photographyexposure@gmail.com (Evan Johnson) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:13:00 +0000

Have you ever tried to take a picture of yourself? Isn't so easy and you usually get your arm in the picture too.

I just found out about this new XShot camera extension that solves the problem and includes some other great uses.

You could make a video diary or use it as a small mono-pod to help steady yourself in an awkward position when a tripod won't work.