Tag Archives: photo tips

Capturing Constellations

Have you ever stepped outside on a crystal clear night and wished you could capture the moon and the stars with your own camera? It’s not as difficult to accomplish as you might think. Continuing my series on astrophotography, now that you know what type of camera you should be using let’s discuss the best ways to capture constellations. TRIPOD Unless you are part rock and can steady your hands during your entire shoot I would highly suggest placing your camera on a tripod. Once you have your camera attached properly you can begin taking exposures of 10 to 25 … Continue reading →

Choosing an Underwater Camera

In my last blog I revealed that my new goal for 2008 is to experiment with underwater photography. Currently, I do not own an underwater camera so I have been doing research on what type of equipment I will need and how much it will cost me. It didn’t take me long to realize that underwater photography is far from a cheap hobby, though the results seem to make the time, effort and money worth it. If you too are interested in taking beautiful pictures under the sea (or in the deep end of the pool) you are going to … Continue reading →

Have Camera Will Travel Part 2

I know avid photographers who remember to pack their camera cleaner but forget to bring along clean underwear on vacation. In my previous blog I provided a list of some photography essentials you don’t want to leave home without. In this blog I thought it might be helpful to list some shooting reminders that are often overlooked by travelers taking aim in foreign lands. Tip #1—–When you are shooting subjects in foreign countries and you don’t speak the native language, the simple act of smiling, pointing to your camera and then pointing to the subject is enough to communicate that … Continue reading →

Taking Pictures Under the Sea

I love taking pictures, but it wasn’t until I was sitting on a beach in Hawaii a few weeks ago that I considered experimenting with underwater photography. A very nice man saw me taking photos of my daughter at the water’s edge and asked if my camera was waterproof. When I answered no he showed me the waterproof rigid plastic case he was carrying his camera in while taking shots of his kids attempting to boogie board for the first time. I have to admit I was intrigued. My daughter loves the water but at age three she is still … Continue reading →

Have Camera Will Travel

Most photographers wouldn’t dream of embarking on a vacation without their cameras strapped securely to their necks (or at least tucked away in a sturdy camera carry-on). With the busy summer travel season just a few weeks away I thought this would be a good time to review some basic tips on how to make the most of photo ops while you are on the road. Tip #1—–Pack the Instruction Manual. Modern cameras and their accompanying add-ons often have complex program modes, so always a good idea to pack a copy of the instruction manual in your bag before leaving … Continue reading →

Dealing with the Elements

I’m sure you are familiar with the expression, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” The saying could easily be applied to photography especially when you’re scheduled photo shoot is interrupted by Mother Nature’s whims. I was reminded of this last week when I was trying to snap a shot of my daughter standing next to the first buds of spring. On this particular day it wasn’t my daughter who wasn’t cooperating, rather it was Mother Nature’s high winds that were causing problems for me (and my camera). It took me nearly 10 minutes to finally figure out that if … Continue reading →

Photo Album Revelation

In a previous blog I admitted to being a snap happy parent. I also noted that since my daughter’s birth (more than 3 years ago) I have taken nearly 9,000 photos of her. That’s 9,000 printed images that have been sorted and placed in photo albums or frames. Needless to say my photo album collection is quite vast. Given that the average photo album holds up to 200 4×6 pictures (I do have some that hold up to 500-plus) I have roughly 40 albums sitting on a single bookcase in my living room. I would love to say that each … Continue reading →

Tips for Shooting Soccer Games

I recently received a note from a reader asking me for tips on how to capture “decent” pictures of her son during his soccer games. Why settle for “decent?” You can capture truly frameworthy sports photos if you practice a few simple techniques. Position. I dated a soccer player in high school and actually have experience shooting many action packed games. My first recommendation is to get off the bleachers and situate yourself near the goal at the end of the field. That way you can shoot up the field, rather than from the sidelines. What’s more, the end of … Continue reading →

Sorting Photos—-Where to Begin

If you are like me it is impossible to sort and catalog pictures as soon as you get them developed. In some cases I have gone months without sorting my photos and I end up with a stack of pictures taller than my 3-year-old precariously balanced near my desk. So what do you do when your picture mountain has grown to epic heights? I set aside time and start sorting chronologically. Regardless of whether you are using the pictures to add to a scrapbook, a frame, or just placing them in a traditional photo album, it’s best to have a … Continue reading →

Photography Week in Review for April 1-7, 2008

Do you know who owns the world’s largest photo album or where you can get boxer shorts emblazoned with a picture of your four-legged pet boxer? This week’s Photography Week in Review provides the answers to those questions and gives tips on how you can keep your kids entertained for hours with leftover photos. Take a look: April 1st—–World’s Largest Photo Album. Unfortunately, it is not for sale nor is it packed with thousands of photos in unique configurations. Still, this massive book made its way into the record books. See why in this blog. April 2nd—–Can You Take Your … Continue reading →