In my neck of the woods sunset is at 7:12 p.m. For now anyway. Whereas I don’t enjoy losing an hour of sleep when we spring ahead, there is something to be said about the extra hour of sunlight in the evening. The later sunset, coupled with the record-breaking high temperatures we’ve been blessed with the past couple of weeks have made it look and feel a lot like summer in the middle of March. Our neighborhood sure looks like summer. Kids are running around in shorts, parents are out sprucing up their yards and I’ve finally been able to … Continue reading →

With Mother Nature bypassing spring and moving directly into summer, many shutterbugs have been able to get in some outdoor shots far sooner than expected. Record high temperatures have been recorded from coast-to-coast this month, and there are no signs of a decline in sight. While the nice weather may have inspired you to document the first signs of spring or simply take some snaps of your child wearing a swimsuit in the middle of March, there are some factors you should keep in mind before pressing your camera’s shutter button: Made in the Shade: The sun is the best … Continue reading →

We’ve spent the last two weeks basking in 80-degree temperatures. So much for spring; we catapulted straight into summer… with no complaints. During our March heat wave, tulips and daffodils started blooming; buds appeared on dormant trees; and our front lawn went from brown mud pit to luxurious putting green. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end sometime, and for us, sometime is today. Heavy rain moved in and the mercury slid back to the 40s. I can only imagine what a hard frost is going to do to all of the gorgeous flowers that thought spring had … Continue reading →

Spring break is in full swing right now. Beaches from coast-to-coast are crammed with college coeds and families with young kids on vacation. These precious moments that showcase fun in the sun should be documented and shared with others. However, instead of focusing exclusively on activities that take place above the water, why not dive down below the waves to snap keepers of all your clan’s underwater adventures? The prospect of taking decent underwater photos is daunting for many people; however, with the right equipment and a little practice, you can snap frame worthy shots without sinking like a rock. … Continue reading →

Many people tend to see the world in black and white. Things are either right or wrong; forget about the grey area. Interestingly, though, the mentality does not seem to transcend to photography. In my opinion, not enough people appreciate the art of colorless images. Snapping black-and-white pictures takes a bit more effort than documenting events in color, but not that much more. As long as you remember the following tips you should be on target to capture frame worthy pictures minus the color. 1. Since black and white pictures lack color, shapes and lines are very important details. A … Continue reading →

Not Ryan Reynolds, Anderson Cooper or William Levy, the Cuban hunk who just shook his groove thing on “Dancing with the Stars.” Talk about a celestial body. Sizzle, sizzle. No, I’m referring to the stars that illuminate the night sky. Picture this: The other day my daughter and I were taking advantage of the summer-like temperatures with a late evening stroll. Just as we got to the end of our street we gazed upward and saw two separate stars that shone like beacons against the pitch black sky. My daughter immediately wished upon them. Turns out they were planets. So … Continue reading →

In real estate, it’s all about location. However, photographers have to be just as concerned about where they set-up for a shoot if they want to get the most bang for their buck. For example, if you are planning to snap photos indoors you’ll want to be careful not to place your subject directly in front of a window. Doing so will likely wash out the shot or cause unwanted shadows. In addition, take a look around before pressing down on your camera’ shutter button. It’s important to eliminate background distractions. Also, be sure that you don’t have your subject … Continue reading →

Where will you be spending your spring break? Whether you plan to drive to the beach, jet-off to a ski resort or opt for a more affordable staycation, you’ll want to capture all of the action with your digital camera. Family trips provide amazing photo ops and even better images that can be placed in digital frames, shown off on Facebook or inserted into a traditional album or fancy scrapbook. Of course, you’re not going to be able to brag about your trip unless you produce stellar shots. In order to capture memorable pictures of your family’s spring break adventures … Continue reading →

I love time lapse photography. It takes a while to master, but once you’ve captured your first few frames and start the editing process, you’ll probably be hooked for life. Along with patience, there are other factors to consider when shooting time lapse photos. Subject matter is huge. If you are building a house and capturing shots of the construction process from start to finish, then you’re likely looking at a pretty decent time lapse result. Ditto for blooming flowers or leaping horses. Another excellent choice for those of you who are just starting out in the world of time … Continue reading →

Tis the season for family getaways. Many schools around the nation are gearing up for spring break, and families are following suit. Now is a great time to drive or jet-off to your favorite recharging spot. For most people that means escaping to the sun, sand and surf, though any place that allows you to become one with nature is a prime choice as temperatures becomes more tolerable. If your spring break plans include visiting our nation’s natural treasures, don’t forget your camera… and your lenses. This is especially critical if you are planning a trip to major landmarks, such … Continue reading →