Spero's Photo & Advice Column

Art Imitates Life?

2012-01-28T14:08:00.002-07:00

Phoenix Museum 176, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

And just who does Art think he is anyway?

The Family Mustache...

2012-01-24T10:35:00.001-07:00

The Family Mustache..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Father always had a mustache, why not me?

Kids & Families

2012-01-21T11:55:00.001-07:00

Kids & Families, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Captured this mom and her daughter's during a break from their family portrait session. I gave them all some prop hats and the rest was up to them....Shot with Nikon D300 mounted with my all purpose Nikon 18-200MM VR lens. Adding some fill flash using SB 800 set on TTL .

Tempe Bridge After Dark

2012-01-17T23:27:00.001-07:00

Sepia, Tempe Bridge, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Sepia toned shot of the Tempe Bridge at sunset...

Tips for Digital Wedding Photography

2012-01-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

Some digital photography wedding tips from one of my favorite teaching sites the NYIP (New York Institute of Photography)

"Why are we running separate Wedding Photography Tips for people using digital cameras? There are several reasons.

First and foremost, NYI Webmaster Sharon Gumerove recently attended a big wedding, and brought her digital point-and-shoot camera with her. The tips that follow are based on her experience at what turned out to be a great wedding and a giant reception. That means separate digital tips are in order, and those of you who take a digital camera to a wedding for the first time will get better results if you follow these wedding photography tips from an experienced photographer who discovered important differences between working in digital as opposed to film.

Second, there's a social implication as well. A while back, we heard Jason Schneider, long time Editor-in-Chief of Popular Photography, address a group of photography industry executives on the provocative subject "The future of film." His overall thesis was that film use will continue to decline and eventually yield its dominance to digital capture, but he predicted it will continue as a niche product for a decade or more.

More to the point, Schneider noted what he calls the "fun factor" of digital. He told the audience that he had attended two recent weddings, and here is what he observed: Among the guests there were loads of digital cameras, but no single-use film cameras or film-based point-and-shoot models. Several guests who were clearly serious photographers were using film-based SLRs, and the professionals who had been hired to photograph the weddings used film-based medium format cameras. However, the digital users were consistently showing their results on the LCD viewing screen on the back of the cameras to other guests and the bride and groom. Guests asked for copies of photos and promises were made to e-mail photos. E-mail addresses were exchanged. Cell phones with cameras open up even more possibilities.

At the wedding, the "fun factor" of digital includes instant results and the opportunity to share moments from an event while the event is still ongoing. So, without further ado, here are our Tips for Great Digital Wedding Photos.

Just like we mentioned in our companion piece, Seven Tips for Great Wedding Pictures, this wedding photography article is designed to help you, the wedding guest, capture great photos with your digital point-and-shoot camera. Our goal is not to turn you into a professional wedding photographer using traditional or digital camera equipment. Rather, we'll help you understand the issues you'll face when you try to take digital photos at any of the affairs you're likely to attend as a guest this wedding season.

Tip 1: Take lots of extra camera batteries and memory cards.This may seem like an obvious tip to many photographers, but it is even more important if you are using a digital camera rather than a traditional film-based model. The reasons for this are two-fold. Digital cameras, as anyone who uses them knows, require great amounts of power, particularly if you use the built-in LCD screens. So, taking an adequate number of batteries with you is common sense. However, because of issues with recycling time and shutter lag that are inherent in digital cameras, you're likely to be taking many more photos at the reception than you may think, since many of them may not come out. Consequently, you'll be draining your camera's batteries by not only taking the photos, but by reviewing them during the reception.

Which brings us to the second part of this tip: bringing as much memory with you as possible. The more memory cards you have with you, the less likely you'll be to miss the party as you sit in your chair trying to find space on your card for one more picture. You know... that all important one of your best friend getting hit in the head with the bridal bouquet. The one picture you can't possibly miss! So, plan ahead and bring more than you think you'll need in both memory cards and batteries.
Tip 2: Take advantage of your camera's ability to change ISO.

Many point-and-shoot cameras are set automatically so that they expose much like a traditional camera loaded with 100 ISO film. This is great for outdoor photos, but may be woefully inadequate inside a reception hall or church even with the flash turned on. However, unlike traditional film-based point-and-shoots, many digital cameras are more sophisticated and allow the photographer to set higher ISO ratings. If you find that the backgrounds of your photos are coming out dark, even with the flash on, try boosting the ISO setting on your digital camera to 200 or 400. While you may pay for this increase in gain with some graininess, color shifts, and artifacts, you'll find that the backgrounds will be much lighter and the on-camera flash will appear to work much better.
Tip 3: Don't expect too much from your flash.

This is true with any point-and-shoot camera. The on-camera flash tends to be woefully inadequate, but it's still better than nothing. Just remember that the flash is not likely to cover a lot of distance, leaving much of the background in your photos dark. To compensate, try adjusting the camera's ISO setting, and remember to place your subjects up close to fill as much of the frame as possible. Don't expect to get great group shots of people dancing, particularly in dimly lit reception halls. Also, remember that flash units take time to recharge, so you are not going to be able to snap one picture after another without waiting until the camera and flash are ready. Think ahead and plan which images are important to you so that you don't miss the action while waiting for the flash to recharge. Finally, don't expect red-eye reduction to work over long distances. It's great when you're taking static portraits (just remember to warn your subjects so that they don't move after the first flash) but it won't help if you're zooming in on your subjects from half way across the room.
Tip 4: Shutter lag.

It takes time for a digital camera to capture the image and then record that image on the camera's memory card. This is very different than traditional film cameras where there is little or no delay from the time you press the shutter until the image is recorded on film. While digital cameras are getting better and better, odds are you'll find this delay noticeable and annoying when taking pictures at a reception. If you are trying to take action photos, for instance, of people dancing, you may find that many of your pictures have people walking into the frame, or you'll have captured images of the backs of the dancers rather than their faces. For action shots, the only solution is to try to anticipate the action by pointing the camera where you think the action will be and pressing the shutter before your subjects actually move into the space. Even with static subjects, such as guests posing with the bride and groom, shutter lag can result in photos where your subjects' eyes are closed or they have weird expressions on their faces. You, and your subjects, will need to have patience while you take enough pictures to insure that you have captured some good ones. Trial and error, (as well as lots of memory cards and batteries), will result in your getting some good shots. And, with all that practice, you'll eventually develop a feel for how long your camera's time lag is, which should improve your digital wedding photography enormously".

Read more at New York Institute of Photography - Digital Wedding Photography | Wedding Photography Tips: http://www.nyip.com/ezine/people-and-pets/weddings2.html

Odd Stuff - Pencil Necks

2012-01-08T13:05:00.001-07:00

Odd Stuff, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Part of my continuing series "The Desktop" or, "How to succeed at filling up a flash drive without really trying...

" Shot on film with my 35MM Nikon N80 mounted with a 50MM 1.4 Nikon lens. Digitized and then processed with Bibble Pro 5.

Parking lot...

2012-01-02T10:12:00.001-07:00

Parking lot..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

A late night scene.
We came out after dinner at a local Mexican food place to discover there had been a brief rain shower. The reflections and harsh lighting looked interesting enough for a few shots. After I shot the scene I converted the image to B&W using Bibble 5 Pro software and added a bit of vignetting .

Pretty Girl

2011-12-23T09:56:00.003-07:00

Pretty Girl, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

My niece strikes a pose for the camera after which, she judges my skills and let's me know if I need to shoot another picture to get it right...My post production of this (original color shot) was done in Adobe Lightroom using one of their presets

Pen & Ink

2011-12-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to have a second photograph published in the National Photography Magazine "The Shutterbug" for my Pen & Ink treatment of a Sunflower I shot for their January 2012 issue.

My first published by them can be viewed by clicking on the link below...in case one is curious:-)

http://www.shuttejavascript:void(0)rbug.com/content/picture-thisbranomalies-misplacements-and-oddball-juxtapositions

How to Take Great Photos of Holiday Lights

2011-12-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of the NYIP (New York Institute of Photography) from their photo tips newsletter some tips on shooting great photographs of the 2011 season of lights...

"At this time of year, many of the world's cultures and religions celebrate holidays that involve lights. While the use of lights and candles is often explained in terms of the rites of the particular culture, most scholars agree that the lights came first; the explanations followed. After all, since humans gained control of fire, light has been used to illuminate the darkness — especially, during the depths of winter — rather than curse it.
Christians explain the candles, tree lights, and Yule log in terms of the birth of Christ and the Star of Bethlehem. The impact of these lights — if not the explanation — is so powerful that even modern-day Buddhist and Shinto Japan is ablaze with lights and decorations at "Christmas time." And, in the same dark days of the winter solstice, Hanukkah is the "Festival of Lights" celebrated by Jews around the world".

To read more click on the link below...
http://www.nyip.com/ezine/holidays/holidaylights.html

This and That...

2011-12-17T12:43:00.005-07:00

The holiday season doesn't leave much time for blogging. However, I have been able to get out a shoot some photos of folks, city lights, and night life in the city.

Also of note is the link below to Dave Wendt's web site featuring muscle cars and more. If you're a car person this is the site to peruse to fulfill your auto fantasies. Excellent photos, great lighting, and beautiful old cars.
Take the time to visit all of his galleries it will be worth your time.

On the brag board: "Shutterbug Photo Magazine", for the second time, published one of my photos. This time it was for their "Picture This: Pen & Ink" feature in the January 2012 issue.Once they post that issue to their website I will provide a link for anyone interested in viewing my B&W shot of my ode to Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

Click on the link below to view Dave Wendt.com
http://www.davewendt.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=0&a=0&at=0

Phoenix Table Tennis Tournament

2011-12-08T13:18:00.001-07:00

I caught these while shooting for friends at a Phoenix Table Tennis Club tournament recently. I used a Tokina 100MM 2.8 macro lens coupled with my trusty Nikon D300. I shot at ISO 1600 (hand held)

to keep the noise down to an acceptable level.I used the shutter priority mode with a setting of 1/90sec. To view all of the photos click on the link below:

http://speros.smugmug.com/Other/Phoenix-Table-Tennis-Tourney/20446612_x5kNQ6#1618460719_cJKjnS8

Kids & Families

2011-11-30T20:21:00.001-07:00

Kids & Families, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

They could have been twins...from a recent family photo shoot.

Kids & Families

2011-11-26T13:31:00.001-07:00

Kids & Families, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

On the run during a family photo session. Keeping up with kiddies is a challenge.

Mastering Panning – Photographing Moving Subjects by Darren Rowse

2011-11-25T19:07:00.002-07:00

Some Tips and Hints I found on the web...fun ideas for the newbie and seasoned shooter to try. I've plugged in a few of my photos as examples...
Spero

by Darren Rowse
Panning is a technique that can produce amazing results (if you perfect it…. or get lucky) but is also one that can take a lot of practice to get right.

The basic idea behind panning as a technique is that you pan your camera along in time with the moving subject and end up getting a relatively sharp subject but a blurred background.

This gives the shot a feeling of movement and speed. It’s particularly useful in capturing any fast moving subject whether it be a racing car, running pet, cyclist etc.

I’ve found that panning seems to work best with moving subjects that are on a relatively straight trajectory which allows you to predict where they’ll be moving to. Objects that are moving side to side are challenging and can result in messy looking shots as the motion blur can be quite erratic.

How do you do it?

Select a slightly slower shutter speed than you normally would. Start with 1/30 second and then play around with slower ones. Depending upon the light and the speed of your subject you could end up using anything between 1/60 and 1/8 – although at the slower end you’ll probably end up with camera shake on top of your motion blur.

Position yourself in a place where your view of the subject will not be obstructed by anyone or anything else. Also consider the background of your shot. While it will be blurred if there are distracting shapes or colors it could prove to be distracting. Single colored or plain backgrounds tend to work best.

As the subject approaches track it smoothly with your camera. For extra support of your camera if you’re using a longer lens or are feeling a little jittery you might like to use a mono-pod or tripod with a swiveling head.

For best results you’ll probably find that setting yourself up so that you’re parallel to the path of your object (this will help with focusing).
If you have a camera with automatic focus tracking you can let the camera do the focusing for you by half pressing the shutter button (depending upon it’s speed and whether it can keep up with the subject)

If your camera doesn’t have fast enough auto focusing you’ll need to pre-focus your camera upon the spot that you’ll end up releasing the shutter.

Once you’ve released the shutter (do it as gently as possible to reduce camera shake) continue to pan with the subject, even after you’ve heard the shot is complete. This smooth follow through will ensure the motion blur is smooth from start to finish in your shot.

If you have an older digital camera or one that is of a more entry level point and shoot variety you could also have to contend with the dreaded ‘shutter lag’ problem. Shutter lag is when there is a slight delay from when you press the shutter to when the picture is actually taken. If you experience shutter lag you’ll need to learn to anticipate the moment to take the shot and will definitely need to continue to pan well after you’ve taken the shot.

Kids & Families

2011-11-22T15:59:00.003-07:00

Kids & Families, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

On assignment and shot this for a family holiday portrait for my favorite family...

Kids

2011-11-20T12:31:00.001-07:00

Kids, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

I caught this little girl in deep thought during our rainy day ferry boat trip to Coronado Island off San Diego,California

More Kids and Cowboys

2011-11-17T13:08:00.003-07:00

Kids and Cowboys, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

On assignment at a Chuck Wagon Cook Off community event in Arizona

More Kids and Cowboys

2011-11-17T13:08:00.001-07:00

Kids and Cowboys, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

On assignment at a Chuck Wagon Cook Off community event in Arizona

Kids and Cowboys

2011-11-16T23:08:00.001-07:00

Kids and Cowboys, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

On assignment at a Chuck Wagon Cook Off community event in Arizona

Kids and Cowboys

2011-11-16T09:51:00.001-07:00

Kids and Cowboys, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Almost more popcorn than kid. I shot this while on an assignment at the Chuck Wagon Cook Off community event in Chandler, Arizona

Ways to Improve Your Photography in a Few Days

2011-11-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

I ran across these tips By Chase Guttman and wanted to share them with the followers of my blog. Handy ideas and good common sense stuff...

By Chase Guttman

Some might argue the point that photography is an art form. Training your eye to see the world and translating your perspective visually takes time and patience. Yet, there’s also technique involved in creating arresting images. There are ways to quickly improve your photography and impact your creative vision. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

1. Read The Manual. Resist the impulse to cavalierly toss your manual in the trash as it holds a plethora of knowledge. For savvy shooters, manuals are the holy grail of photography books. They teach us the functions, capabilities and basics of our most important piece of equipment. The camera manual should be the bible for your gear. I recommend placing it in your camera bag. It will be worth the extra weight.

2. Never Leave Home Without It. It’s a good idea to always have your camera handy. Creativity, opportunity, lighting, chance encounters, and especially visual splendor won’t wait for you, so be prepared. After all, “photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again,” and one of history’s greatest photographers, Henri-Cartier Bresson, should know. You may have only one chance to capture emotions of profound nature so make certain that you don’t have to live in regret. Make the most of every opportunity presented to you. Your next great moment may be lurking just around the corner.

3. Lighting Lessons in a Flash. Beginners seem to misunderstand the magic of a flash. Keep in mind that most flashes illuminate only about ten feet in front of you. Furthermore, there are two main ways to optimally use flash — flash fill and bounce flash. In flash fill, you use the light source to attempt to fill the shadows created by natural lighting sources such as the midday sun. Bounce flash on the other hand is when the flash’s light is bounced off a wall or surface so it lights an indoor room evenly. To take better pictures, try to diffuse your flash by either aiming the light away from the subject or by using gels to minimize the light’s strength. Harsh or strong light isn’t kind on a subject’s face. Additionally, if the light isn’t diffused you may experience flash blow out, where your subject is a pitch white color and there’s a lack of highlights in your image. For maximum creativity and flexibility purchase an external flash.

The combined use of blur and diffused flash light makes for an exciting image that’s full of emotions.

4. Bring Backdrops to Your Forethought. Backgrounds are often the best way to either accentuate your subject or to tell a multifaceted story. A simple background serves to spotlight your subject and the details within your frame. On the other hand, more complicated backdrops can help tell an intriguing story about your portrait subjects. Try to find visual contrasts between the background and foreground. Often backdrops can make or break an image’s impact so make the most of your available visual real estate.

5. Details Tell The Story. Presenting a big message by only using small details can make your images. Be aware that framing your image to leave out various elements, can add a sense of mystery to your canvas. Remember, details can be an important component of an enticing image.

6. Follow the Sun. Early morning conditions offer unique advantages for photographers. Wildlife are more likely to be active and visible, the tranquil atmosphere makes water reflections more pristine, the tourists are still in bed, and there’s a higher chance of dawn’s magical mist and dew. Also, the golden “hour” and blue “hour” lighting gives you ample opportunities to compose stupendous landscape shots.

7. Move to Nature’s Beat. Movement and action add a layer of vibrancy to your images. As you infuse your photographs with energy, you take your art to the next level.

8. Get Ready for a Close-up. Capturing stunning portraits is about creating a feeling of intimacy and connection with your subject. Wide angle lenses are often ideal, because they force you to get closer and assist you in accurately representing an individuals personality. Every face tells a story— wrinkles map out a life of hardship and textured eyes enable you to peak into a person’s emotional state. As a photographer, you can expose the realities of life so don’t be afraid to get closer or jump into the middle of the action.

9. Angle Singularity. Think, shoot, and aim outside the box. Sometimes, creating a captivating composition is all about seeing the world from a different angle. Experiment— stake out a peculiar position and your images will stand out from the crowd.

You can read the full post at:http://www.lightstalking.com/improvephotography

San Diego - Cityscape rainbow

2011-11-09T14:53:00.001-07:00

San Diego - Cityscape rainbow, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Another view...

San Diego

2011-11-09T14:51:00.001-07:00

San Diego, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

San Diego
A rainy visit to San Diego, CA - The end of the rainbow. Shot from our hotel room balcony

The Cook and the Bee

2011-10-31T19:22:00.001-07:00

The Cook and the Bee, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

This one is my favorite Halloween shot...

Mother and Daughter

2011-10-31T10:54:00.001-07:00

Mother and Daughter, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Mother and daughter photos are usually a sure bet for being a sweet shot for the family album

Halloween Party...

2011-10-24T15:16:00.001-07:00

Some photo ideas when shooing a Halloween event

this year...

Tips from NYIP Newsletter...

2011-10-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

October is a great month to take pictures not just Halloween pictures. The humid hazy days of summer have given way to crisp cool days with clear air and bright blue skies. The perfect combination for sparkling photographs! The sun is lower in the sky, providing wonderful long shadows in early morning and late afternoon. So conditions are perfect for photographers — amateur or professional ¬ to get out there and take great pictures.
October starts with the wonderful colors of fall and the harvest, and it ends with a bang with Halloween — one of the year's greatest photo opportunities.

Things are Looking up

2011-10-15T13:01:00.001-07:00

Looking up, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

The view from down below...

Armoire's r us

2011-10-11T14:15:00.001-07:00

Armoire's r us, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

What's in your closet...?

Your Table is Ready...

2011-10-08T13:21:00.001-07:00

RiverView Car Show - Mesa, AZ, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Saturday night at a local Mexican restaurant waiting for our server to bring chips...

RiverView Car Show - Mesa, AZ

2011-10-06T12:14:00.001-07:00

RiverView Car Show - Mesa, AZ, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Another cool looking old Ford at the Saturday car show for your viewing pleasure...

RiverView Car Show - Mesa, AZ

2011-10-03T20:38:00.001-07:00

RiverView Car Show - Mesa, AZ, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

This truck at the show is the same year and model as the one I had when I was in high school. It was selling for $35M. Mine cost me $800.00...what inflation and a better paint job will do to prices, my, my...

Tips for Better Family Photos

2011-09-27T16:30:00.001-07:00

Family portrait photography has been around since the days of Matthew Brady (of U.S. Civil War fame) and before. Here's a few family portrait DO's to remember:

DO:
Squish your groups together. Get them close, even closer than close enough.It may be a personal space thing but, having everyone in tight makes a difference. When families are close, it emits warmth and shows that families should be...close. Have your families positioned at slight angles to each other with their shoulders overlapping. Everyone being close will make the overall composition look more finished. Further it will help them look like the model family,even when Aunt Sally is pinching her sister off camera.

DO:
Coordinate clothing. You should guide them in a wardrobe choice. However, it is ultimately up to them what they will wear. Avoid extreme colors, prints, and logos on their clothing. Simple colors and choices also make it easier in post production and you will have options in color and black and white. However, it is their picture but a casual recommendation can't hurt and might be appreciated.

DO:
Check the screen for blinkers, especially in a large group.

DO:
Try and be funny and get some genuine smiles.
This is the perfect time to try out that stand-up comedy routine you have been working on. A few cheesy jokes helps break the tension and gets everyone to relax a bit. Ask them to all strike their "Best glamor pose" is a good way to start. Get them to do something they don't normally do, jumping, running, or whatever comes to mind.

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated

2011-09-25T20:17:00.001-07:00

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

A video game hall on a Saturday night...scary

Night Shot

2011-09-24T14:24:00.001-07:00

Night Shot, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Downtown Tempe, Mill Avenue...the calm before the storm.

Who Started/Created the Art of Photography?

2011-09-21T21:06:00.002-07:00

According to history, Frenchman Louis Daguerre is credited to have invented the first examples of photography. But there is a part of the story which few people know about the invention of photography by Daguerre.

Louis Daguerre worked for years with images and he managed to capture images but they withered away with time. Then Daguerre heard about and Italian potter who created his pots and put images on them but those images were not painted and didn’t wither away with time. That potter was Joseph Nicephore Niepce.

So Daguerre went to Italy in order to meet with this unknown potter.

Long before the first public announcements of photographic processes by Louis Daguerre in 1839, Joseph Nicephore Niepce, began experimenting with photography.

In the summer of 1826, after nearly 20 years of experimenting with different forms, Niépce set up a lens containment, placed within it a polished pewter plate coated with bitumen of Judea (an asphalt derivative of petroleum containing nitrates), and uncapped the lens. After at least a day-long exposure of eight hours, the plate was removed and the latent image of the view from the window was rendered visible by washing it with a mixture of oil of lavender and white petroleum which dissolved away the parts of the bitumen which had not been hardened by light.

So who is the Father of Photography?... Louis Daguerre got the credit for what he learned off Joseph Niépce.
Source

The oldest surviving photograph actually dates back to 1827
Source(s):
http://www.niepce.com/home-us.html

Panoramics R us

2011-09-15T11:52:00.002-07:00

Experimenting with some freeware that allows one to shoot a series of photos and turn them into a panoramic by stitching them together for you automatically. The results...not bad. This shot was taken of the interior of our home's family room. To try it for yourself. Use the link below to connect to CNET.

P.S. Warning: Ignore the "scan for viruses" warning at the heading of the CNET page, it's hook to get you to buy a product and has nothing to do with the freeware...

http://download.cnet.com/Autostitch/3000-2192_4-196145.html

Late summer sunset...

2011-09-10T21:04:00.002-07:00

B&W Beauties, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

A late summer sunset shot converted to B&W using Bibble Pro 5 software. This ancient tree was destined for removal by it's owners. I had to capture it's silhouette against the night sky before it was removed to remind me of it's former grandeur...

Cactus Flower

2011-09-02T19:35:00.001-07:00

Cactus Flower, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Summer time in Arizona...

Night Moves...

2011-08-26T20:27:00.001-07:00

Night Moves..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

A summer evening at the Tempe market Place 2011. Shot with my Nikon D300 coupled with a Nikon 35MMDX 1.8 lens...

Photographs Are Not Created with Mouse Clicks

2011-08-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

The NYIP live blog is up and running for all of you photo files. I appreciate their take in this post on the contemporary digital photography movement. Take a moment to read the blog post (below). The post is written by Chris Corrandino a teacher with NYIP (New York Institute of Photography).

Photographs Are Not Created with Mouse Clicks

http://blog.nyip.com/main/2011/8/15/photographs-are-not-created-with-mouse-clicks.html?code=D280

Despite all of the amazing advancements we've recently seen in photography, I usually find myself more impressed and inspired by images created by photographers of the past. W. Eugene Smith, Ernst Haas, and Walker Evans to name a few. They weren't paid by the mouse click, but rather for capturing a real moment in time. They didn't use HDR or prepackaged "actions" to create a certain look. There was no anti-shake built into the camera body, and flash sync speeds were around 1/60. Yet, to these photographers and the countless others who went before, the limitations of their gear only worked to sharpen their senses. They weren't bogged down or distracted by all this technology and as a result, connected with their subject in a way that's visible in their work.

As we move into an increasingly digital world, I am seeing an increase in blogs and websites with comprehensive lists detailing every last piece of equipment in their bag. While it's nice to see that Canon and Nikon's marketing efforts are working, the resulting portfolios are rarely as impressive. The photos may be technically sound but the photographer's personal touch is overshadowed by the technology used to create it. Somewhere behind all the layers of post production, there are images which wouldn't really stand up on their own.

Today with every tool at our disposal, I believe there is a real danger in simply relying on technology instead of mastering our craft. Take Neil Leifer's photo of Muhammed Ali for example. It was captured in 1965 and I've yet to see a more powerful boxing image even with today's fastest motor drives. His timing was impeccable and the exposure did not need to be rescued in Photoshop. Technology should not replace photographic knowledge.

Be honest, if you were to cover up your camera's LCD screen with tape, could you still use manual exposure properly? If not, then your photographic muscles need flexing. I say this not to discourage, but rather to fire you up for the journey. As Leonardo Da Vinci said "Those who are in love with practice without knowledge are like the sailor who gets into a ship without rudder or compass and who never can be certain whether he is going." Now the question is, where do you go from here?

"No photographer is as good as the simplest camera" - Edward Steichen

2011-08-22T21:29:00.002-07:00

I wanted to share this article by Joe Farace, who writes about Edward Steichen, in the September issue of Shutterbug Magazine.

Farace reminds us of Steichen greatness and importance to the photography world.

http://mastersofphotography.blogspot.com/2011/02/edward-steichen.html

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1669998_1460631,00.html

"A true renaissance man, he, along with Alfred Steiglitz, opened the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession in 1905, won an Academy Award for his World War II film The Fighting Lady, and became director of the Department of Photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art where he curated the legendary "Family of Man exhibit that traveled to 69 countries and was seen by 9 million people..."

However, Steichen,remains a virtual unknown to many photographers today. Many of them might recognize his iconic images but don't know his name. Thus, learn first hand of his greatness and import to photography.

Check out the links above to learn more about him.

Your store for all things ToyCamera

2011-08-17T14:47:00.001-07:00

Just for fun click on the link for a toy camera owners delight...film is still king (mostly) and some say is making a comeback...we'll see how that develops! In the meantime, check out this great site in order to toy with your film desires inexpensively.

http://www.fourcornerstore.com/

Night Moves - Ouch!

2011-08-11T19:04:00.001-07:00

Night Moves - Ouch!, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Neon Light exhibit put on by the students at Arizona State University was a warm weather "highlight" at the regional mall. All shots were hand held using a Nikon D300 coupled with a 35MM1.8DX lens

Cars R us

2011-08-10T11:41:00.001-07:00

Cars R us, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Muggy weekend in Gilbert, AZ we visited a local VW club's gathering at a fast food spot...

Umbrellas

2011-08-03T18:16:00.002-07:00

Umbrellas, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

The ultimate fate of ALL naughty umbrellas...

Poses: Quick Tips...

2011-08-03T11:12:00.001-07:00

How to Pose for Portrait Photography
Find a background that you want in the portrait. Most studios will have an array from which to choose. If you are picking your own, go with something neutral that does not detract from the subject, but is pleasant.

What Are Some Common Photography Poses?
Straight-on pose A straight-on pose is where the subject faces the camera with squared shoulders. This is best for thin subjects. Three-quarters view pose A three-quarters view pose is great for individuals who are heavyset. Position your s...

How to Pose for Family Portraits
Stand with your hands on your hips to give the illusion that you are shapelier. You now appear to have more of a whittled waist. This stance also works quite well for flabby arms. Keeping flab away from the body de-emphasizes it and makes you look thinner.

How to Pose for a Family Photo
Relax and try not to focus on the pose. Posing can cause a tension that can ruin a family photo. Focus more on natural interaction: Talking, laughing, and playing with a baby or young child can produce an unforgettable shot.

100 Strangers

2011-07-31T17:35:00.004-07:00

Nifty web site worth a look. Challenge yourself and shoot pictures of 100 strangers and get to know them in the process…
http://www.100strangers.com/

" Dancing..."

2011-07-28T17:24:00.001-07:00

" Dancing...", a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

I captured these two kids rocking out at a "Blues" festival in Glendale,AZ...

I applied a bit of HDR, one size fits all, software for a darker, gritty look or at least that was my goal

The Village people at the beach...

2011-07-27T10:13:00.001-07:00

The Village people at the beach..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

On a break from the rigors of their tour...

NYIP - Beach Photography | Beach Pictures | Beach Photos | NYIP

2011-07-22T11:26:00.001-07:00

Life is a beach...tips from the NYIP on the how to's of shooting family and scenes at the beach. Whether you are vactioning or if you are lucky enough to live near a beach town the tips and tricks from this article will come in handy. Good information from a great web site.

NYIP - Beach Photography | Beach Pictures | Beach Photos | NYIP

The "New" Village people visit the Greeks...

2011-07-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

Back by popular demand...The Village People at The Greek festival at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Peoria, Arizona. Those crazy guys get around don't they?

Village People - A day on the farm...

2011-07-15T13:06:00.001-07:00

Village People, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Last in the series...try not to be too sad.

Village People

2011-07-08T19:23:00.001-07:00

Village People, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

More shots of the fabulous "New Village People...I added the Elements "colored pencil" filter to this one.

Fourth Of July Fireworks...

2011-07-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

I spent the evening with the "New Village People" and their photographer.
Despite the crowds I was able to capture this shot during the fireworks show finale. Shot with a Nikon D300 mounted with an 18-200MM lens set at 75MM.

Exposure:F/5 @ 1/6 sec. ISO 400 The second shot has the same exposure.

Quick Tips & Hints:

2011-07-03T15:50:00.001-07:00

You've heard this before:

Digital cameras do all the work. You just push the button and great pictures magically appear. The better the camera, the better the photos. Isn't that right? Wrong!

The truth is that you can make great photos with a simple point-and-shoot camera,or take awful shots with the most expensive DSLR.

It's not about the camera; it's the photographer. With a little study, practice, and a willingness to make an adjustment here and there, you can squeeze great photos out of the smallest digicam.
Here's one quick tip for your to start making better pictures.

Warm Up Those Tones
Have you ever noticed that your shots sometimes have a cool, clammy feel to them? If so, you're not alone. The default white balance setting for digital cameras is auto, which is fine for most snapshots, but tends to be a bit on the "cool" side.

When shooting outdoor portraits and sunny landscapes, try changing your white balance setting from auto to cloudy. That's right, cloudy. Why? This adjustment is like putting a mild warming filter on your camera. It increases the reds and yellows resulting in richer, warmer pictures.

Stuck on You

2011-06-27T18:48:00.002-07:00

Stuck on You, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

When the lid is stuck on, one is forced into desperate measures to get at the Gorilla...

4th of July Photo Tips Reposted

2011-06-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

(A re post for folks that may have missed these tips from last year).

Modern digital photography lessens the technical burdens of shooting fireworks displays and one can see the result of their success or failure immediately.

With our 4th of July holiday, and the subsequent evening fireworks displays, just around the corner I wanted to share these tips that I gleaned from the "Digital Photography School" web site.

Use a Tripod

Perhaps the most important tip is to secure your digital camera to something that will ensure it doesn’t move during the taking of your shots. This is especially important in photographing fireworks simply because you’ll be using longer shutter speeds which will not only capture the movement of the fireworks but any movement of the camera itself.

Remote Release
One way to ensure your camera is completely still during fireworks shots is to invest in a remote release device. These will vary from camera to camera but most have some sort of accessory made for them. The other way of taking shots without touching your camera is to use the self timer. This can work but you really need to be able to anticipate shots well and its very very hit and miss

Framing Your Shot
One of the most difficult parts of photographing fireworks is working out where to aim your camera. The challenge you’ll face in doing this is that you generally need to aim your camera before the fireworks that you’ll be photographing goes off – anticipation is key. Here are a few points on getting your framing right.

Scope out the location early – Planning is important with fireworks and getting to the location early in order to get a good, unobstructed position is important. Think about what is in the foreground and background of your shots and make sure you won’t have people’s heads bobbing up into your shots.

Watch your Horizons - One thing that you should always consider when lining up fireworks shots is whether your camera is even or straight in it’s framing. This is especially important if you’re going to shooting with a wide focal length and will get other background elements in your shots (ie a cityscape).

Remember your framing – I find that when I photograph fireworks that I spend less time looking in my viewfinder and more looking at the sky directly. As a result it’s important to remember what framing you have and to watch that segment of the sky. Doing this will also help you to anticipate the right time for a shot as you’ll see the light trails of unexploded rockets shooting into the sky.

Focal Length?
One of the hardest parts of photographing fireworks is having your camera trained on the right part of the sky at the right time. This is especially difficult if you’re shooting with a longer focal length and are trying to take more tightly cropped shots. Keep in mind however that cropping of your wider angle fireworks shots can always be done later to get a similar impact in your photography.

Aperture
A common question around photographing fireworks displays is what aperture to use. Many people think you need a fast lens to get them but in reality it’s quite the opposite as the light that the fireworks emit is quite bright. I find that apertures in the mid to small range tend to work reasonably well and would usually shoot somewhere between f/8 to f/16.

Shutter Speed
Probably more important to get right than aperture is shutter speed. Fireworks move and as a result the best photographs of them capture this movement meaning you need a nice long exposure. The technique that I developed when I first photographed fireworks was to shoot in ‘bulb’ mode. This is a mode that allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you hold down the shutter (preferably using a remote shutter release of some type). You can also experiment with set shutter speeds to see what impact it will have but I find that unless you’re holding the shutter open for very long exposures that the bulb technique works pretty well.

Don’t keep your shutter open too long. The temptation is to think that because it’s dark that you can leave it open as long as you like. The problem with this is that fireworks are bright and it doesn’t take too much to over expose them, especially if your shutter is open for multiple bursts in the one area of the sky.

ISO
Shooting at a low ISO is preferable to ensure the cleanest shots possible. Stick to ISO 100 and you should be fine.

Switch off your Flash
Shooting with a flash will have no impact upon your shots except to trick your camera into thinking it needs a short exposure time. Keep in mind that your camera’s flash will only have a reach of a few meters.

Shoot in Manual Mode
I find I get the best results when shooting in manual exposure and manual focus modes. Auto focusing in low light can be very difficult for many cameras and you’ll end up missing a lot of shots. Once your focusing is set you’ll find you don’t really need to change it during the fireworks display.

Also experiment with taking shots that include a wider perspective, silhouettes and people around you watching the display. Having your camera pointed at the sky can get you some wonderful shots but sometimes if you look for different perspectives you can get a few shots that are a little less cliche and just as spectacular.

Quick Tips & Hints:Mirror Lock-up Control...

2011-06-24T20:21:00.004-07:00

What is it?

The mirror lock-up control on your DSLR flips and holds the mirror just prior to and during the exposure. For Most DSLR cameras this control can be located in the shooting LCD menu.

Nikon, however, has recently placed it on the camera's top drive mode dial, huh? If you have a newer Nikon DSLR it's on the control knob on the top of your camera. Check your user's manuel for your specific model.

So, who cares? You want to use this feature when your shooting at slow shutter speeds (1/8-1/20 sec) where mirror slap (not to be confused with a dope slap) can cause image-blurring vibration in standard shooting, even if you are using a tripod.

Birds R Us

2011-06-20T18:38:00.002-07:00

Look what flew into our backyard and enjoyed dining on our sunflower plants…pretty neat.

Apparently we have a flock of 15-20 of these rare birds near us.

These two were delighted when they discovered our sunflowers.They have been coming back every morning the past ten days for a snack.

Definition: Choosing a Nanday Conure Conyers The Nanday conure (Nandayus nenday) is a hookbill found in South America. Nandays are gregarious and found in loose groups of 6 to 40 birds. They are sociable birds, even with other species, and they often hang out with monk parakeets. Not shy, they spend their day on trees and palms or foraging on the ground, low bushes or tall grass

Sunflowers

2011-06-15T09:57:00.001-07:00

Sunflowers, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Summer time in Arizona
The sunflowers are in bloom and the heat is on...

Negative Space...

2011-06-14T10:22:00.003-07:00

A fellow photographer and I had a discussion regarding negative space in people portrait work. I took the side of "Fill the frame and get close".

The opposing viewpoint was balancing the "Fill the frame" technique with harmony and good flow in the shot as a work of art. Where by you leave some empty space to help frame the shot with some variation of light, dark, form, shape, color, or lines.

To be honest, I have never given much thought or study to the topic of negative space in my portrait work, at least not on a conscious level.

Thus, for my benefit and others, I researched the topic and found this web link below. Take a look at it and form your own opinion on the subject of "Negative Space" in art and photography.

The article is very well written and takes you through every phase and aspect of the subect.

Caution, after reading the article you may develop the urge to look at a blank wall and view it as art...
http://photoinf.com/General/Robert_Berdan/Composition_and_the_Elements_of_Visual_Design.htm

Sammie... the camera ham

2011-06-08T13:36:00.001-07:00

Sammie... the camera ham, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

My niece loves to pose a bit too much...Shot with my Nikon D300 using a 35MM/52DX with available light at the Spaghetti Factory in Chandler, AZ.

Superstition Mountains in Arizona

2011-06-05T14:57:00.001-07:00

Superstition Mountains in Arizona, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

A little colored pencil filter play in Elements and you get a new look of an old mountain...

Going to Hollywood...

2011-06-05T13:16:00.001-07:00

Going to Hollywood..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Shot with Tri-X film circa 1976 using Pentax Spotmatic 35MM with a 50MM 1.2 lens

Top Photojounalists...L.A. Times

2011-05-30T15:29:00.002-07:00

The L.A. Times photographers are as good, if not better, as any of their peers. Click on the link to check out and explore some of their work.

http://framework.latimes.com/explore/

The Village People...

2011-05-25T18:11:00.001-07:00

The Village People..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

The "New" Village people take a break to pose for a shot with one of their fans...

Perspective - The view from the top

2011-05-23T09:51:00.001-07:00

Perspective - The view from the top, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Change your POV (Point of view). Even the most common, or mundane, shot will stand out if you shoot it from a different angle or viewpoint.

Give your viewer a new way to look at a familar subject by shooting high, low, or in close. In this case I was shooting straight down which gave me a unique view of my niece on a family outing. The basic premise for this is to present your subject from any point of view except your usual spot. Try it, it will make you slimmer and want to go out for a swim.

Garden Sunflower

2011-05-20T08:33:00.001-07:00

Garden Sunflower, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

My Ode to Vincent Van Gogh with a touch of HDR processing. Shot with Nikon D300 mounted with a 35MM 1.8 DX Nikon lens

Travel Blog Site

2011-05-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

The summer vacation season is near.Thus, for some inspiration when shooting this year take a look at this travel photography blog site.

The reviews state that Ken Kaminesky's blog site "smacks you upside the head". Well... despite that painful thought, his web site is very impressive and worth your time, as long as you're wearing a helment.

His work is full of beautiful HDR travel shots and the site changes regularly since it is his blog.

His stock photos and portfolio are both excellent! A talented guy with a nifty web site design as well.
Take a look...click on the link below.

http://blog.kenkaminesky.com/

Hollywood match books

2011-05-09T10:04:00.001-07:00

Hollywood match books, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Mementos from our daze working in Hollywood.

Shot with film using a Nikon N80 with a Nikon 50MM 1.4 lens. Processed normally and then the negs were scanned and digitized

Your Camera Wants You To Be Average

2011-05-07T20:03:00.000-07:00

Check out this link and the teaser paragraph below. Interesting and informative for all. Click on the link to view and read the entire article:

by Peter West Carey

"I’m going to let you in on a secret but first I need you to put your camera away. You see, cameras are becoming smarter and smarter every year as the ability to pack more and more information and programming into their circuits becomes available thanks to the march of progress. I don’t want your camera catching whiff of this conversation.

That’s because the honest truth is your camera wants you to be average. More precisely, your camera wants your pictures to be average. Let me explain with a bit of back story.

For the SLR crowd, cameras haven’t always had light meters in them. They started out as simple pinholes, graduating up to more and more complex systems, but always relying on the human operating them …"

Continue reading “Your Camera Wants You To Be Average” »

Read more: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/tips#ixzz1Lj4bY3fQ

A Star is Born...

2011-05-05T15:25:00.002-07:00

A Star is Born..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

My fellow photographer, and friend, Johanna is a willing model regardless of the cost to her own dignity. Shot in downtown Phoenix, AZ while we were on a light rail trip into town.

Frogs R US

2011-04-30T15:31:00.001-07:00

Frogs R US, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

I Caught these frogs taking a lily pad break while we were visiting friends and family in Virginia. If you look closely the frog in the middle is giving me the stink eye.

Perspective - The view from the top

2011-04-28T17:54:00.001-07:00

Perspective - The view from the top, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

My niece was attending her first outing to a Family fun park and I caught this shot while we waited in line for a ride. The view from the top...

Quick Tips & Hints:

2011-04-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Warm Up Those Tones
Have you ever noticed that your shots sometimes look a bit cool or blue? If so, you're not alone. Your default white balance setting for digital cameras is on auto, which is fine for many of your shots, but can tend to be a bit on the "cool" side.
If you are shooting outdoor portraits and sunny landscapes, try changing your white balance setting from auto to cloudy. That's right, cloudy. Why? This adjustment is like putting a mild warming filter on your camera. It increases the reds and yellows resulting in richer, warmer pictures.
Do your own tests and see the difference. Take a few outdoor shots with the white balance on auto, then take the same picture again with the setting on cloudy. Upload the images to your computer and look at them side by side. My guess is that you'll like the warmer image better.

Arizona backyard...

2011-04-24T14:38:00.001-07:00

Arizona backyard..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Experimenting, I processed this shot using some new software for this stylized look of our backyard...interesting? Maybe not. But colorful.

Outdoor Portraits That Shine

2011-04-20T11:37:00.001-07:00

One of the great hidden features on digital cameras is their fill flash or flash on mode.

Taking control of the flash so it goes on when you want it to, not when the camera deems it appropriate, you've just taken an important step toward capturing great outdoor portraits.

In the flash on mode, the camera exposes for the background first, and then adds just enough flash to illuminate your portrait subject. The result is a professional looking picture where everything in the composition looks good. Wedding photographers have been using this technique for years.

After you get the hang of using the flash outdoors, try a couple variations on this theme by positioning the subject so the sun illuminates the hair from the side or the back, often referred to as rim lighting.

Another good technique is to put the model in the shade under a tree, then use the flash to illuminate the subject. This keeps the model comfortable and cool with no squinty eyes from the harsh sun, and this often results in a more relaxed looking portrait.

Remember, though, that most built-in camera flashes only have a range of 10 feet (or even less!), so make sure you don't stand too far away when using fill flash outdoors.

For more digital photography tips go to http://macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2002/10/22/digi_photo_tips.html

Portrait Tips

2011-04-12T20:37:00.000-07:00

Some tips and hints I came across for any of you wanting to take your portrait work to the next level. These tips come courtesy of
http://feeds.feedburner.com/

PHOTOSHOP
If you’re good with post-processing and manipulations, use it to your advantage. Get crazy with the adjustments, try some new Photoshop techniques, and maybe even a composite If texture is a big part of your subject, make it stand out and make it obvious. Match up the textures between your subject and your background. You might even try texturizing the entire photo for additional impact.

OVEREXPOSE
Blowing out the highlights or making a high-key image makes a nice soft portrait with kind of a light airy feeling. Another advantage of high-key photos is that the smaller details and defects are blown away, making the image look much smoother.

UNDEREXPOSE
A dominantly dark or low-key image will naturally draw your eyes to the lighter parts. These tend to have a grittier and harder look to them than the high-key images.

BACK-LIGHT
Hair lights up like crazy when it’s back-lit, so if hair is a big part of your subject make it stand out by placing your subject between you and a light source. You could also take this a little further and push the image to a silhouette.

POSING
Get crazy with the pose and positioning — extra points if it looks uncomfortable. Not only with the poses, but also with your own positioning — shoot from different angles to achieve different impacts.

Planning Your Shots

2011-04-12T17:07:00.000-07:00

Tips and insights on how Tom Tingle, Arizona Republic photographer, covers his beat and gets the shot he wants and needs for the next issue. Click on the link.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/BehindtheLens

Lamp & Radio

2011-04-08T19:49:00.002-07:00

Lamp & Radio HDR, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Around the house...shot with film, yikes! (analog to you techies). Shot with Nikon N80 using my Nikon 50MM 1.4 lens, hand held ISO 400.

Night Life...

2011-04-06T08:53:00.001-07:00

Night Life..., a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

New back yard night light; hand held shot at ISO 2500 using my Nikon 35MM 1.8 lens

Desktop take 57

2011-04-04T21:46:00.001-07:00

Desktop take 57, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Too much fascination with my desk top, I must get out of the house:-)

Hmmmm?

2011-03-28T13:19:00.001-07:00

Hmmmm?, a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Look closely, and one sees more than character in this sign...

Shaken or stirred?

2011-03-22T08:49:00.001-07:00

Shaken or stirred? a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Testing my new Tokina 100MM 2.8 macro lens and captured this shot of our classic beverage mixer. Added some post processing with HDR software for these results.

Sweet Girl...

2011-03-15T15:21:00.001-07:00

Cute kids take 1 a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

I shot this while doing a shoot at an airshow when my young niece, who was also at the show, spotted me and grabbed my leg and gave me a hug. The rest was easy...

Jade Buddha

2011-03-14T13:40:00.001-07:00

Jade Buddha a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

Shot in Mesa, Arizona:
The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace is the largest Buddha carved from gemstone quality jade in the world. The Jade Buddha is 2.7 meters high and sits on an alabaster throne of 1.4 high. The Jade Buddha itself weighs around 4 tons and has been valued at $5 million. Its size and beauty make it a wonder of the world. The Buddha inside the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodh Gaya (India) is the model for the Great Jade Buddha. This Buddha was chosen because it is universally recognized by all Buddhists.

Mary, in the Garden

2011-03-08T15:20:00.002-07:00

In the Garden a photo by Spero's Photos on Flickr.

This hand held shot, in low light, was taken in the late 1970's using Kodachrome 64. Thus, what you are viewing is grain, NOT digital noise...just so you know.
Spero

Spring is on it's way...

2011-03-01T10:19:00.001-07:00

Spring is on it's way...
Originally uploaded by Spero's Photos

March 1st flowers. Hello spring, good-bye winter... maybe.

Hey, What's all that noise...?

2011-02-27T20:09:00.001-07:00

When film was king, in our pre-digital world, photographer's fretted over their photos having too much grain. Too much grain, or a gritty look, could ruin that family portrait of Uncle Bill and Aunt Alice with their new grand baby.

Of course, not everyone felt this way regarding the gritty look. In fact, many photojournalists and street shooters intentionally shot with B&W, high ISO films and embraced the high contrast, gritty look, technique. They did this by pushing their film by underexposing and over developing it to achieve this effect.

Today's shooters, using digital cameras, now have to worry about too much noise in their shots rather than too much grain.

Noise is analogous to grain in film and can be as distracting and often look similar.

So...what is noise? While, technically speaking, there are many types of noise, it usually shows itself as speckles in an otherwise clear area of an image.
Further, there are ways to fix noise in post production.

However, here are some quick tips one can use before shooting to reduce the noise without using software and save time in processing your images:

The most common cause of noise are high ISO settings. Lower your ISO settings to reduce the noise signal on your camera's sensor. Luckily, most cameras today do pretty well regarding noise at high ISO's. Though generally shooting above ISO 1600 is problematic.

Another cause is heat and long exposure.
Keep your camera cool. Don't leave it where it will get hot, like in your car or in a bag exposed to the sun.

Anything that makes the camera's sensor continually work causes excess heat. Thus, causing more noise in your images. Such as, shooting in the burst mode, or long timed exposures, or shutter speeds.

Reduce noise by shooting to the right, huh?
By slightly overexposing your images your camera's histogram looks like a bell on the right side of the graph. Why do this? The fact is that correcting an under exposed image in post production (making it brighter) will bring out the noise in shadows. Thus, darkening an over exposed area is usually a better option for digital shooters in post production.

Hold down the noise and you'll be a better person. In addition, passer bys will smile and give you a friendly nod.

Casual Friday...

2011-02-23T13:04:00.001-07:00

Casual Friday...
Originally uploaded by Spero's Photos

Playing with film at my desk...trying out my new Tokina 2.8 100MM macro lens

Photographers IPhone delight 100 cameras app

2011-02-19T12:03:00.003-07:00

I am not a Mac or Iphone or an "I" anything guy but when I found this photo app for the Iphone I had to share. It almost makes me want to go out and buy an Iphone...almost.
The app comes from our friends at the "Stuck In Customs" HDR site.

http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2011/01/12/100-cameras-in-1-new-version/

Chinese head gear - Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-17T08:46:00.001-07:00

Chinese head gear - Year of the Rabbit
Originally uploaded by Spero's Photos

On a self assignment at the Chinese New year celebration in Phoenix (Year of the Rabbit) when this scene caught my eye...it's a bit eerie but colorful if you can get past the feeling you're being watched.

Feet R us

2011-02-13T14:38:00.003-07:00

Bottles and feet R us
Originally uploaded by Spero's Photos

Sitting outside with a camera and nothing better to do ends badly...

Quick Tip of the Week...about lenses

2011-02-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

The notion that lenses are always the sharpest when set to their smallest aperture is just not the case, gasp!

I know it seems counter intuitive but tests show that lenses are usually their sharpest at the intermediate apertures, not the smallest.

True, a smaller aperture provides one with greater depth of field in the shot, but (without getting too technical here) the image tends to degrade at smaller apertures compared to larger ones.

Check it yourself by enlarging or blowing up the area you focused on with the smallest aperture and you'll see it is less sharp or softer than at larger f/stops.

The old rule of thumb, or aperture, is that lenses are normally their sharpest at an aperture 2 to 3 stops down from maximum. As an example on an F/2.8 lens the sharpness would be optimal at f/5.6 to f/8.

To be certain of your lenses range of sharpness do some experimenting with your equipment. Take some test shots to see which aperture settings give you the most sharpness and put it in your memory bank when you want your shot to beat it's sharpest.

Friday Night...

2011-02-09T08:58:00.001-07:00

Friday Night...
Originally uploaded by Spero's Photos

How do you spend Friday Night?

Kids having fun...?

2011-02-03T09:26:00.001-07:00

Kids having fun...?
Originally uploaded by Spero's Photos

My former after-school group had a photo aversion moment during a field trip in 2008
However, their joyous faces, as we wait to enter a museum, made my work seem worthy and meaningful...

Prime Time Lens...

2011-02-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

Since the advent of zoom lenses the prime, or a fixed focal length, lens has been typically ignored by many of us, pro and amateur alike. The ease and convenience of modern zooms is too much to pass up by many of us.

Recently though, the prime lens has undergone a renaissance of sorts by receiving attention from some of our most popular photography magazines.

They tout, using a sharp, fast prime lens such as a Nikon 50MM 1.4, or the digital equivalent, the Nikon 35MM 1.8 can produce some amazing results in almost any light. No argument there since most consumer zoom lenses are very slow in comparison with a fixed focal length prime lens. The standard zoom F/stop range is between F/3.5-F/5.6. Even the high dollar pro models are no faster than F/2.8 which is great but not as fast as the standard Canon or Nikon 50MM 1.4 prime lens.

In addition, using a fixed focal length, no matter what its length, (50MM, 85MM, 105MM, etc) we (photographers) make this amazing discovery that we have feet. WE have to zoom in and out rather than the lens. Thus, we receive bonus exercise points too in the process. Zooming with your feet also changes your perspective as opposed to standing in the same spot and zooming with the lens. You might shoot from a higher or lower angle, giving your photo a unique perspective rather than the one angle you might have with your zoom lens.

Don't get me wrong, some of the new zoom lenses are amazing. The new Tamaron 18MM-270MM is a beast. It has received good reviews and handles well with good results. When one travels and wants to travel light, these one size fits all zooms are the best way to go.

Whenever, I travel I carry two lenses. My Nikon 18-200MM and my Nikon 35MM F/1.8 (the equal to a 52MM full frame) for low light and night time shots.

However, for portraits and other work I prefer working with a 50MM or 105MM fixed focal length lens. Give it a try by working strictly with your prime or fixed focal length lenses and...move those feet, you'll be a better person for it, ok that last part I made up. But try it a you might like it.

Ice Age

2011-02-01T16:38:00.001-07:00

TV on Ice
Originally uploaded by Spero's Photos

Shot with film (gasp) and digitized on a slow night around the house...