The Photo Argus - A Photographer's Resource

Helpful Photography Cheat Sheets to Make you Life Easier

Bill Jones — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:54:35 +0000

Whether your a novice or a seasoned professional, sometimes we all need our memory jogged. It’s never a bad idea to have some convenient references handy just in case. I have listed what I think are some helpful cheat sheets to keep in your camera bag.

Portrait Lighting Cheat Sheet Card

The Photographic Cheat Sheet by Gordon McKinney

49 Photo Tips Cheat Sheet

Light Falloff Cheat Sheet Card

Photography Cheat sheet

PhotoBert Cheatsheets

Reflector Card Cheat Sheet

If you have any other recommendations for helpful photography cheat sheets please leave a comment below.

40 Outstanding Examples of Conceptual Photography

Bill Jones — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:18:35 +0000

Conceptual photography essentially is the photographer trying to convey a message or “concept”. Usually this message is conveyed through some abstract symbolism which can be interpreted by the viewer. Even though most photographers have a specific meaning they are trying to get across, usually the image can be interpreted in many different ways.

Below are some great examples of conceptual photography to inspire you. Enjoy.

Photographer Showcase – Wayne Martin Belger

Bill Jones — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:16:59 +0000

Wayne Martin Belger has created one of the most unique bodies of work I have seen. The way he mixes the art of sculpture, fabrication and pinhole photography is quite mind boggling to say the least. Some might be shocked or even horrified be some of his work, you have been warned.

Make sure and check out his website to see some of the amazing photographs produced by these cameras. http://www.boyofblue.com/index.html

Untouchable (HIV Camera)

Designed to study and photograph a geographic comparison of people suffering from HIV.

Heart

Designed to take photos of soon-to-be mothers who are at least 8 months pregnant, and explore my relationship with his twin brother who died at birth.

Dragonfly

Designed to study and photograph time segments of children.

Wood

Designed to study distance.

Sons of Abraham (9/11)

Designed to study the Passions of Abraham by capturing images of Imams, Priests, and Rabbis holding a Koran, Torah or Bible, in front of a Church, Mosque or Synagogue.

Yemaya (Underwater)

Third Eye

Designed to study the beauty of decay.

Yama (Tibetan Skull Camera)

Designed for the study of exodus and for the research of modern incarnations of historical iconic figures.

Deer

Designed to study the core ritual of the hunt and man’s arrogant separation from Nature.

Classic

Roadside Altar

Designed to study beautiful altars created at points of tragedy.

What are your thoughts on Wayne Martin Belger’s work?

Quick Tips for When to Use Your Flash and How to Avoid It

Bill Jones — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:31:16 +0000

The flash unit of a camera can really come in handy, but it can also destroy an image too. It really pays off to understand the times when the flash will help the final photograph or when it can pose some threats to it. Additionally, it also helps to note that the flash can be tinkered with a bit to create some interesting results.

First, let’s take a look at when to use the flash and when to avoid it. One of the most obvious examples of when to use a flash is in a low-light environment, BUT that is only if it will cast a natural and beneficial light over the scene. The flash can often give the entire photograph a washed out or unnatural look because of the nature of the light it emits.

Before just trusting in any auto settings on a built-in flash it is best to consider if the camera settings can help to get the picture desired without it. For example, if you want to take a photo of your family sitting around a dinner table you should first turn on as many lamps as possible to create a brighter setting. The next thing to do is consider adjusting three primary areas of the camera’s controls – the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.

If you have a modern digital camera you should be able to go fully manual and the camera’s small LCD screen will let you easily navigate between the settings to make the adjustments. Remember that the ISO translates to the sensitivity that the camera’s sensor has to light; the shutter speed also allows light into the camera and the faster the speed the more the action is frozen in time; and the aperture determines how much light enters through the lens. Experimenting with these settings can really show anyone how to be able to take a good photograph without resorting to flash photography.

When should the flash be used? There are some surprising examples of when the flash saves the day. For example, when a subject has too much light behind it – such as someone standing on a white sandy beach, the sensor is not going to cue the camera to automatically illuminate the subject to balance the light. Forcing this to happen is called “flash fill” and can allow a much finer result.

Lastly, if flash is needed, but an indirect amount would be best the photographer can simply carry a small pad of “sticky notes” with them. One of these can be folded into a “U” shape and stuck to the camera just beneath the flash unit. This allows the light to bounce off of the paper and fill the entire space rather than just flooding the subject. Often this is a wonderful way to get subdued lighting and great effects.