We just love watching the birds at a feeder on our deck each day. Of course we have to chase away some of the squirrels.
I was wanting to shoot some photos and it was raining–then I thought let me show you how to do this in the rain.
We just love watching the birds at a feeder on our deck each day. Of course we have to chase away some of the squirrels.
I was wanting to shoot some photos and it was raining–then I thought let me show you how to do this in the rain.
I am always looking for interesting visual elements. While this won’t win a Pulitzer it is different and I think makes you take a second look. |
On our local TV station Channel 11, an NBC affiliate, they are promoting doing random acts of kindness. I get goose bumps when I think of all the mission projects our church is involved in. A good number of the mission partners we work with were actually started by members of our church.
One that I go to often is the North Fulton Community Charities. We donate clothing and things we are no longer using to the Thrift Shop. North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) is a non-profit human service agency dedicated to preventing homelessness of individuals residing north of the Chattahoochee River in Fulton County (Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell). NFCC assists families with basic needs such as food, rent and utilities, and clothing during short term emergencies.
The Roswell Presbyterian Youth group works on an older ladies home. They scrapped the old paint off. They have sanded the boards and also filled holes. |
If you are a professional communicator you can create your own blog and tell the stories of those in your community. You can help educate those around you about the needs and opportunities for others to serve in their community.
You can see the places they sanded and see how the new fresh coat of paint will help the home last longer against the elements. |
The age of service starts young in our church. The vacation bible school had a competition last week. The kids all brought in pennies and see which class raised the most money to help with a charity. They raised over $1,000. This was children as small as the toddlers.
I am using a flash off camera to be sure you can see the youth as they work. If i didn’t the faces would be primarily back-lit and the flash helps you see their faces. |
The other cool thing about this project to me is you don’t have to have money to get involved. You can give of your time. Volunteer your elbow grease and make a difference.
Bill Silzle, chemical engineer and member of Roswell Presbyterian, donated his time to replace a garbage disposal on the same house they are painting. I think he maybe over qualified. |
I believe my gift in these project is creating compelling images that helps tell the story and inspires others to get involved. This fall our church is going to have a display of photography up in what we call “Main Street.” it is the major hall of our church that folks walk through where we will hang large prints (20″x30″) to help tell the story of our mission projects around the city, nation and world.
We will have captions to tell you where the photo was taken and what the church helped with the charity. After the exhibit runs for a couple months we will then take the prints down and put them in other locations through the church.
What are other ways you can use photography to help charities? Leave your comments below.
So, we took them there virtually with a 360 panoramic shot.
What do you think of these two street views?
Waco YMF Biplane
Years ago, I found myself in some pretty small areas. While photographing research labs, I was photographing what felt like the inside of a closet. So finally, I bought a fish eye 16mm Nikon f/2.8 lens. It gives me a 180-degree view.
This past weekend, it came in handy to help capture what it was like to ride in a biplane for my wife and me.
Any standard wide-angle lens would give me a portrait at best and not capture the environment. So if you have very little space, this lens will help you capture the small room.
Sometimes you have a big sky and want to capture the things close to the camera and the expanse around it. Here shooting out of the cockpit, I caught the feeling I had being in the cockpit and looking out. What did I want the photo to do for you–I wanted you to get an excellent feel for flying. How did I do?
When you are in tight spaces like a room the size of a closet, the 16mm helps you get wide enough. What surprised me is how often, in the big open spaces, the 16mm can work and give you a unique and intimate view.
What are some ways you have used a fish eye lens? Let me hear from you in the comments below.
There are a couple things a photographer must think about when it comes to their clothing: 1) comfort and 2) pockets.
Tropical Vest/Jacket goes for $120 |
The travel vest is one clothing item that has been very popular with photographers. Today there are more options. I have a friend Garret Rutherford that really has me thinking a lot about style. When I was really young I didn’t care at all about it, I just wanted to stay warm or cool. I think you do need to be aware as a photographer what you look like because it will affect your pictures.
Just like camouflage helps a photographer blend into the forest so as not to scare aware animals they are trying to photographer there are appropriate types of clothing that help you be understated in different environments.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3yVZS16QFE]
Here is a new jacket to the market that can help you carry some items, is breathable material and is fashionable for the photographer. Here is a link to buy it and a video to show you it in use.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS9hUnp-c7c]
ExOfficio Bugsaway Halo Check Shirt |
My favorite store for travel clothing is REI. They carry the ExOfficio Bugsaway clothing. It has an odorless Insect Shield® Repellent Apparel helps keep biting and potentially disease-carrying insects at bay and shirt also provides UPF 30+ protection from the sun. After about 70 washes you have to retreat the clothing. A trick a friend taught me that with most other clothing without the bug repellant you can just spray your collar and edge of the sleeves–it will keep the bugs out.
For me I like that the fabric dries fast so you can wash the shirt in a sink and wear it again only a few hours later. This is important going to some places in the world where you don’t have washer and dryers available.
They make pants as well and you can get pants that look very similar to dress pants or cargo pants if you need more pockets for all that camera gear.
Here is a little video showing the shirt.
REI Vented Explorer Hat |
When you are traveling and out side a lot you need to protect your head–especially if you are follically challenged as I am.
I look for material that wicks away moisture and helps keep me cool. This REI Vented Explorer Hat has a polyester inner headband that wicks moisture away from your brow and speeds the evaporation process and therefore works like an air conditioner for your head.
While baseball style caps can keep the sun off the head I like to put my ears and most of my neck in the shade as much as I can. When I moved to Fort Worth to live from Long Island, NY my friends told me the difference between the sun and shade felt like a 20° difference. My thought is use my hat to create that cool shade for my head.
One of my friends who shoots around the world was asked at a camera club meeting what was the most important piece of equipment for his work–his shoes he said. If I have the right kind of footwear I can then get to the place to make the photo.
Vibram FiveFingers KSO Multisport Shoes |
While I haven’t bought the Vibram FiveFingers KSO Multisport Shoes I do think they are a great visual to make my point. A shoe that is comfortable and fits well will let you do just about anything. While these might be comfortable and great for the athlete, I would recommend another shoe for most photographers–we tend to be still and not needing to run while taking photos.
The Keen Bidwell Slip-On Shoes are great for travel through airport security, they look a little more low key than the Vibram FiveFingers. The shoes also have KEEN.CUSH™ footbeds contain polyurethane and memory foam to provide ample cushioning and support.
Keen Bidwell Slip-On Shoes |
Look at your shoes first for comfort and then for fashion so you can blend in with the crowd.
What tips do you have for folks about clothing for the photographer? You can share them below in the comments.
Some of the planes flying in formation |
This weekend I went to the Good Neighbor Day Open House Airshow at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. This brought back memories from my time in Civil Air Patrol in high school.
This made me think of how an early obsession playing GI Joe grew through the years in my life. It was this interest in getting dressed up in military outfits that led me to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and then to Civil Air Patrol.
Pitts aerobatic plane doing stunts |
I learned in each organization new things that people who wore those uniforms got to do. This interest was expanded and led me to enjoy technology. I learned in CAP for example how planes fly and how to use a compass and map to get around. You had to know this to help with search and rescue missions.
While at the air show I met a friend who grew up just blocks from the airport. He was so influenced by the airport that he went to Georgia Tech and majored in aerospace engineering.
Crowd watches a Pitts Plane |
While he is not doing that today, he too was seeing how an interest helped to start a journey.
Army had some of their helicopters for the crowd to see up close. |
Can you remember earlier interests and did this help lead you to where you are today?
The A-10 Warthog (Thunderbolt II) |
Paratroopers presenting the colors |
However, I can look at photos and then find something I can share that I learned and have an example to show you. I prefer to work this way.
Today I am doing the opposite.
When I write I have a slow build up to when the storyline is established. Once this happens I write away and the time after I finished the idea to editing the final product is very short.
One of the ways I come up with a storyline is through reading or conversations. They spark an idea and then I might Google to research and gather more material. I might find a quote that helps make the point more emphatically than my wording can do. Coming up with a lead or a hook for me is the when the story then just flows quickly onto the page.
When I work in photography to tell a story the workflow is so different. I may have an idea or been given one by someone to cover. I usually make phone calls and talk to the subjects before showing up. At this point I have already got a pretty good idea of the story. Once I arrive I allow the story to go another direction and try not to force it. I do see if things are going as I expected and if they are then great, if not I must then decipher what the story really is all about. To me the pinnacle moment with the photography in story telling is when I have a moment that tells the story pretty much by itself. Once I have this “decisive moment” I then continue to shoot. I look for ways to introduce the subject/story. I look for detail shots to use as transitions or even points in themselves about the story. I look for a way to end the story visually as well. When I leave I have all the visual content I will need. I cannot call back and get a photo I missed—I can when I write. I can call back and ask for clarification when writing. Sometimes this can even change the story, but with photos I would have to go back and reshoot to fill in any holes in the story and I have done that before.
|
There are a lot of events in the Atlanta area to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the book Gone with the Wind.
If you’re in or around the city, consider these venues:
— The exhibit Atlanta’s Book: The Lost Gone With the Wind Manuscript (June 4-Sept. 5) at the Atlanta History Center features the final four chapters of Mitchell’s recently rediscovered manuscript (once thought to have been burned by her husband after her death). The exhibit also features the first-ever public display of Mitchell’s writing desk.
— Margaret Mitchell House tours showcase the Crescent Avenue apartment (which she affectionately called “The Dump”) and feature exhibits on Mitchell’s pre- and post-GWTW life, along with details on the making of the movie.
Other GWTW-related doings in Georgia:
— Marietta Gone With The Wind Museum: Scarlett on the Square, June 10-11, will stage a tribute to Mitchell with several cast members from the movie, along with question and answer sessions and a literary panel.
— On June 11, the Road to Tara Museum in Jonesboro will feature costumed storytellers linking the history of the town with stories from the book.
In 2003 the BBC sent a reporter to the Road to Tara Museum to film for the special on “Gone with the Wind” It was rated in the top book favorites of all time for the BBC audience. |
At first we just posed with the BBC reporter and the Scarlett O’Hara look alike. |
We had a little more fun with their expressions. |
Today I would shoot it differently than I did in 2003. I would want to shoot later in the day to have the lights in the house show up. I would have more dramatic lighting by not lighting everything as evenly as I did here.
I enjoyed shooting this and remembered it when I saw the latest news about events celebrating the book this year.
Take you camera with you this holiday–you will be glad you did and sorry if you left it at home. While many of today’s events are situations you cannot stop and have to go with the flow, you have to think more to clean up the backgrounds and get the right angle to tell a story.
While these are not going to win the Pulitzer they do keep me shooting and looking. This exercise of the eyes and brain will lead you to better photos.
Do you see the variations in types of photos below?
First woman guest speaker, Captain Donna C. Rowe, Army Nurse Corps Vietnam 1968-69, hopes her talk helps them invite more women veterans in the future. |
Crowd of about 6 – 7,000 listens to Guest Speaker Captain Donna C. Rowe. |
Veteran pauses for a portrait after handing out flags to children and adults. |
Roswell Faces of War Memorial |
Crowd at the celebration |
Pledge of Allegiance |
Presenting of the colors by Piedmont Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution |
Getting low not only gave a different perspective, but let me tie the people in the foreground to the signage in the background to help give context to what is going on with them. |
Most of us all take pictures from standing height. It’s convenient more than any other reason.
So few people vary their shooting position relative to subjects, so that when you do your photos have stopping power. There are basically 2 approaches that I recommend trying every time you photograph a subject: 1) bird’s eye view and 2) worm’s eye view.
Get as low as you can and shoot up to the subject. This is called the worm’s eye view for obvious reason.
At almost every Chick-fil-A grand opening, the first 100 customers arrive 24 hours and camp out to get Chick-fil-A for a year for free. |
Get up above the subject to help give us the overall perspective. This is called the bird’s eye view.
When you get low and high also vary the lens you choose. Shoot a wide, standard and tight shot from each perspective of low and high.
If you do this regularly you will find that as you explore the subject you may discover the unique angle not only has stopping power, but also may give you a decisive moment and perspective that tells the whole story in one photo.
Remember if a subject made you stop and take a 2nd look with your camera it most likely stop other folks as well—if you work at it to find the most interesting perspective.
Photos used by permission of Chick-fil-A
(8+ Nikon SB900s) = (1 Alienbees 1600) (8 x $510 = $4,080) vs ($360) |
Comparing my AlienBees 1600 manual flash to my Nikon SB900 TTL flash can be tricky. It is more like apples and oranges they would say.
One thing you can compare is the guide number. This translates into what the f/stop would be at say 10 feet.
The guide number for an AlienBees 1600 is 354 with a standard 7″ reflector. That means it will provide f/22 at 10 feet, full power at 100 ISO. The 11″ reflector will get you f/45 at 10′. The Nikon SB900 provides a guide number of 132 giving you about an f/13.2 at 10 feet full power.
The Nikon SB900 has a zoom head, which is like having a few different reflectors build in. The f/stop can go up as you zoom from 14mm to 200mm.
If you need to shoot at f/16 outside the only way to do that is to either buy 8 – SB900s or 1 – AB1600.
Stay tuned for more information.
Alienbees 1600 Manual Flash |
You are ready to take that next step in photography—getting your flash off the camera. Today there are basically two directions to choose: 1) Manual Flash or 2) TTL Flash.
When I made this jump there was only the one choice of “Manual Flash.” If I were starting over and having to make that decision it would be very difficult one to make.
Nikon SB900 TTL Flash |
This first blog post will give you an understanding how each system works. In the blogs following this I will go into the advantages each system has over the other.
There are 3 settings on a camera that impact the photo when you push the shutter with flashes.
If you had the camera set to take a perfectly exposed and in focus photograph and then added a flash, the flash will most likely over expose the photograph. You must take into account the flash output to get a well exposed photo.
The easiest way to know what the settings on your camera will be with a flash is to use a flash meter.
To keep everything simple, we will first use a room that is totally dark. If you stand where the subject is and fire the flash you can use the meter to tell you what to set your camera. You need to tell the meter two pieces of information:
1) What is your sync speed? What is the fastest shutter speed your can take a picture with a manual flash? This will be in your owner’s manual. Many cameras use 1/125 or 1/250 sync speed.
2) You need to tell the meter what ISO you will be using.
Flash Meter |
Once those settings are put into the flash meter you just need to put the incident dome facing the flash and where the subject will be sitting or standing for a portrait. You can plug the sync cable into the meter to trigger the flash or a different mode letting you just first the flash and it will sense the flash.
After you fire the flash the meter will tell you what f/stop or aperture to set the camera.
To figure all the above you just put the camera flash on TTL mode and take the picture. You will pick the aperture on the camera and the camera will tell you if the photo is under or over exposed. For all the same reasons your camera may over or underexpose photos without a flash will be pretty much the same reason it does it with a flash.
Check back for more posts on flashes.