I had the opportunity to share some resources with a newly-interested-in-photography chap the other day when he asked about classes and lessons in the area. That is when it struck me that not everyone in the world goes to the web as a first check when researching and learning something new. While that is a good thing because of the nature of the web and the limitless amounts of biased and simply false information that is out there, it can also be a hindrance to armature photogs who could be accessing a nearly limitless wealth of technique instruction, equipment review, idea starters/inspiration, and valuable critique resources.
Thus, I have decided to start a compilation of links and material to hopefully save folks some time and help them make the jump from point-the-camera-and-hit-the-button to truly planning their shots and producing results that will stand out.
(If you are a beginner and finding the following links helpful, non-helpful...too basic...whatever, let me know in the comments and feel free to post links you like that are not on the page already.
Try not to get bogged down with all the 'school' ...these are best used as tools to allow you to understand and develop techniques...to empower your creativity...)
Keep checking back as I will be updating the list as I remember them.
Stay in the know.
This week in photography is a great blog/community/podcast for anyone wanting to stay up on latest news, tips, tech, and the industry as a whole. Check out the TWIP site, or look up the podcast.
Buying equipment? I recommend checking these sites first
- Digital Photography Review [DPreview] (nearly a comprehensive list of any current camera ...and a lot of old ones too)
- KenRockwell.com (excellent reviews with good examples and comparisons)
Want to improve your skills?
- Digital-Photography-School.com [DPS] (a great all around site - searchable for specifics, great tutorials, good basics, lots of creative ideas...also has equipment/camera info and post-proc tutorials)
Basics from DPS
Photography 101 (good place to start - more links at the bottom of the page)
How to Hold a Digital Camera (super basic camera shake reduction)
Another site I like for not only info, but ideas and ways to save money and great DIY projects
- DIYphotography.net [DIY] (it gives recycling a whole new meaning)
more from DIY to bring you up to speed
Back to Basics (nice analogies for the visual learners among us)
Tutorials (nice string of tutorials that are frequently updated)
Want to learn off-camera flash? (professional quality lighting)
- Strobist (also posts reviews, tutorials, DIY, idea starters)
More from David Hobby at the Strobist blog
Lighting-101 (if you start here...
Lighting-102 (...you will be a pro by the end of this)
Some excellent photographers (that are informative, and inspiring for me)
Chase Jarvis (check out his blog)
Drew Gardner (and the blog)
Joe McNally (these guys like to blog)
David and Libby Nightingale (this blog has confusing nav features at first...)
Shooting a wedding are you?
Nice page of several different posts related to Wedding Photography by DPS.
While you are at it, there is a ton of great info from those who have gone before you in many Flickr groups.
If you plan to start a wedding photography business, this one is for you.
Or if you want info on wedding photography in general...
or if you are simply stumped for wedding poses on your next shot, and of course,
don't forget the details.
Headshot: TheTwistedPixel
I recently had the opportunity to work with a gorgeous model ;-) who needed a few headshots for the about section over at TheTwistedPixel which was great practice for me, and being as she was one of the more patient folks I know, I really got to experiment with the lighting setup and some of the post processing. Check out some of the results below.
{ photog info: radio triggered 285hv in a shoot through umbrella, 285 on the ground iluminating subjects back to pop her out from the BG, hoya soft filter }
{ photog info: radio triggered 285hv in a shoot through umbrella - very close, hoya soft filter }
{ photog info: radio triggered 285hv in a shoot through umbrella, 285 reflected off my DIY bounce screens to fill the shadows (my ambient was not very nice, so I eliminated it) hoya soft filter }
Holler if you need some headshots to give your site a more profesional look.
{ photog info: radio triggered 285hv in a shoot through umbrella, 285 on the ground iluminating subjects back to pop her out from the BG, hoya soft filter }
{ photog info: radio triggered 285hv in a shoot through umbrella - very close, hoya soft filter }
{ photog info: radio triggered 285hv in a shoot through umbrella, 285 reflected off my DIY bounce screens to fill the shadows (my ambient was not very nice, so I eliminated it) hoya soft filter }
Holler if you need some headshots to give your site a more profesional look.
-The Nuge*
Portraits and Lifestyles
I think posting a continuous stream of my photos will not only be good documentation, but will also help me to really see where I came from and what I am learning, what issues are still present…and also recall the simplicity of starting out, and hopefully not forget how powerful it can be.
Below are a few ‘people shots’ I have taken over the last…ahhh…in the past. I think they are chronological. Note: As my wife and I have very similar composition and shooting styles, some of these may have been her finger on the shutter - it is completely impossible for either of us to decipher sometimes.
Comments and critique always welcome.
Below are a few ‘people shots’ I have taken over the last…ahhh…in the past. I think they are chronological. Note: As my wife and I have very similar composition and shooting styles, some of these may have been her finger on the shutter - it is completely impossible for either of us to decipher sometimes.
Comments and critique always welcome.
Location: Ireland
Lighting: One very powerful point source, and some trusty shade
Lighting: One very powerful point source, and some trusty shade
Location: McKee Botanical Gardens, Vero Beach, Florida
Lighting: Harsh Sunlight
Lighting: Harsh Sunlight
Assignment: Engagement Photos, Lynnette & Jacob
Location: Seattle, Washington
Lighting: Ambient
Lighting: Ambient
Assignment: Make this guy look hip
Location: Brooksville, Florida
Lighting: Single 258hv 90deg camera right, angled down 5deg,
sun from back of subject (for that tiny bit of silhouette)
Lighting: Single 258hv 90deg camera right, angled down 5deg,
sun from back of subject (for that tiny bit of silhouette)
Assignment: Dramatic, High Impact Headshot
someday I will most likely cringe over these shots (wait I already do) but I promised myself I would remember where I came from...
-The Nuge*
It's a snoot/grid/gobo kinda week
in case it is not already completely apparent, I am all about building stuff, making stuff work, and saving a few cents by putting in a little time and effort - that makes me a DIY kinda guy.
This week I found 22"x28" black posterboard for ten cents a sheet... oh the lighting mods, oh the macro studio... also, every camping section in stores seems to have a secions of nick-nacs which includes mylar emergency blankets (over at DIYPhotography.net there is a great post on the reflective efficiency of various mateirals) which is great for a softer light beam falloff (see Strobist on Restricting Light) when used on the inside of your snoot.
I hope to follow up with my results and the fabrication steps soon.
This week I found 22"x28" black posterboard for ten cents a sheet... oh the lighting mods, oh the macro studio... also, every camping section in stores seems to have a secions of nick-nacs which includes mylar emergency blankets (over at DIYPhotography.net there is a great post on the reflective efficiency of various mateirals) which is great for a softer light beam falloff (see Strobist on Restricting Light) when used on the inside of your snoot.
I hope to follow up with my results and the fabrication steps soon.
True Artists
These guys Rock!
a humble shout out to a few excellent and inspiring photographers
aside: it seems that no matter how long you have been shooting, there is always something you can learn from the other photogs in the business, that is something I love about photography.
David Hobby of the Strobist blog and Flickr Strobist group
Chase Jarvis (I think I would like to work for him) love his blog
Drew Gardner of The Dark Art blog
a humble shout out to a few excellent and inspiring photographers
aside: it seems that no matter how long you have been shooting, there is always something you can learn from the other photogs in the business, that is something I love about photography.
David Hobby of the Strobist blog and Flickr Strobist group
Chase Jarvis (I think I would like to work for him) love his blog
Drew Gardner of The Dark Art blog
My Latest Photography Pursuits
Prior to December 2008, all my photography depended on available light. While being a good challenge for a young photographer, I found it to be limiting and frustrating when I could not produce the ideas I had; my creativity was being stifled by the physics that define photography. As my family knows, "the box" and I do not get along...thus, controlling the light in my shots became my next major photog goal. With the help of the Strobist lighting series that I have been addicted to for the last few months, and the "starving student" lighting kit (available at MPEX) that my amazing wife and family (thanx Ma, Dad, bros) gave me, I plan to teach myself some lighting skillz.
Never let the idea of learning something new daunt you, being willing to learn is a key to opportunities you may never have otherwise had. And it really should not be boring, experiment (safely), tweak, practice, jump in with both feet and try something you don't even know how to do - when it does not come out exactly how you hoped, learn from it and read some more from experts (like David Hobby, Chase Jarvis, Drew Gardner...for photography) in the field and then try again. That is the approach I have taken toward learning to light and photography in general - it is working so far.
Some of the shots I have taken since getting my strobe on would never have happened if I did not stretch my knowledge and experiment a little - I realize I am not a top photog or anything, but I challenge myself to be more creative and better than I was last time I picked up the camera, and it is always rewarding (yes even when the only subject you can convince to sit still is a piece of fruit).
Never let the idea of learning something new daunt you, being willing to learn is a key to opportunities you may never have otherwise had. And it really should not be boring, experiment (safely), tweak, practice, jump in with both feet and try something you don't even know how to do - when it does not come out exactly how you hoped, learn from it and read some more from experts (like David Hobby, Chase Jarvis, Drew Gardner...for photography) in the field and then try again. That is the approach I have taken toward learning to light and photography in general - it is working so far.
Some of the shots I have taken since getting my strobe on would never have happened if I did not stretch my knowledge and experiment a little - I realize I am not a top photog or anything, but I challenge myself to be more creative and better than I was last time I picked up the camera, and it is always rewarding (yes even when the only subject you can convince to sit still is a piece of fruit).
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