Tag Archives: picture taking

International Photography Workshops

I review photo workshop opportunities all the time. And every once in a while I’ll find a real winner. The price is right; the location is amazing and the subjects are equally incredible. Those are the ones I post in this blog. Lately, though I have been hard pressed to find a workshop that I felt was worth the time and money… that is until I was sent this incredible opportunity. Grasshopper Adventures is offering a travel photography workshop to China for $3,400 per person. I know. It sounds steep, but look at what it includes: 14 nights’ accommodations, hotel … Continue reading →

Photography Week in Review for November 19-November 24, 2007

With Thanksgiving being the highlight of the week I spent time focusing on holiday picture taking opportunities and how to frame those prize-winning family portraits. Also, included in this Photography Week in Review… a dash of celebrity photographers and a pinch of gratitude for my favorite camera. Take a look: November 19th—–Celebrity Photographers: Jeff Bridges. Who said all actors are one-dimensional? If you are a fan of actor Jeff Bridges you are used to seeing him in front of the camera, but not very many know what a whiz he is behind the lens. If you don’t believe me, head … Continue reading →

Getting Your Kids to Smile… for the Camera

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving… a time when family and friends gather to share a meal and a few laughs. As I mentioned in a previous blog it is the perfect opportunity to capture candid moments and an even better time to take a family portrait–especially if the occasion marks the homecoming of relatives who are unable to make it back for every family function. When it comes to family photos, typically, it’s the kids family photogs are most concerned about getting to smile for the camera. In my case it’s the kids and reluctant adults that I have to deal with. … Continue reading →

Photography Week in Review for November 12-November 17, 2007

Are you looking for tips on how to capture memorable snapshots of your family this holiday season? Or, perhaps, you are looking for a unique photo project to make for your Thanksgiving party. If so, then you’ve come to the right place. The Photography Week in Review is your one-stop shopping resource to get all the photo tips you missed over the past few days. November 12th—–My Favorite Photographer—Ansel Adams. He’s produced some of the most iconic and breathtaking images of American landscapes known to man. Ansel Adams is someone I take inspiration from in the field of photography. I … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Holiday Picture Taking Advice

With about a week until Thanksgiving I wanted to add a few more photo tips to the list I provided in my previous blog, which encouraged you to take as many pictures as possible during your holiday gathering. First, it’s one of the biggest factors that gets overlooked when taking group shots–choosing a designated shooter. You can find the perfect location, the perfect outfit, and have subjects with perfect dispositions, but if you don’t have a qualified photographer on hand to snap the shot all your hard work will be for naught. If you have a family friend who is … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving—-The Perfect Photo Op

My mom hates posing for picture. Ditto for my dad. Regardless, I don’t let their distaste for being photographed tarnish my efforts to use family get-togethers as the perfect venue to snap frame worthy shots. Nor should you. November is here and the holiday season is fast approaching. It’s a time when many families will be gathering at the same place at the same time. Which means it is the prime opportunity to snap a group portrait. Especially if you have family members who only make it home once a year. The following are some simple tips to help you … Continue reading →

Pumpkinpalooza—-Attack of the Parental Paparazzi

How did your little pumpkins fare during last night’s rush to land the chocolate mother load? My little monkey made it through the night just fine. It was this morning when the nightmare began—2:28 A.M. to be exact. That’s when the goodies my daughter devoured the night before wanted out of her tummy and back into her Hello Kitty trick-or-treat bucket. I’ll spare you the gory details, but, no, her current ailment was not brought on by the few pieces of Halloween candy she ate; she also has a 103-degree fever, chills and body aches so chock this one up … Continue reading →

Photo Tips: Mastering Close Ups and Making Eye Contact

Think about it. What is the single most popular photo subject shot by the average photographer? If you answered people, you’re right. The main reason most of us purchase a camera is to photograph people. Even if you don’t have children of your own your images likely include other family members, friends, or strangers you come across at the park or on your vacation. It could be the fisherman pulling in that 115-pound marlin off the coast of Mexico or the juggler on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Regardless, photographing people comes with unique challenges. The following are two skills … Continue reading →

Halloween Photo Tips—Shooting Pumpkins

Candy. Check. Costumes. Check. Camera… Don’t forget your camera! Halloween is just a few days away, which means it’s a fantastic time to make room on your memory card (or buy extra film) to capture all the frameworthy festivities. The holiday offers a myriad of great subjects to photograph – trick-or-treaters, Jack-O-Lanterns, decorations, candy creations, haunted houses and so on. What’s more, autumn’s colorful leaves make for an ideal background for spectacular Halloween shots. In this blog I will be providing tips on how to shoot Jack… O-Lanterns. (Or, as my 3-year-old daughter calls them—“pumpkins with faces.”) Pumpkins and the … Continue reading →

Cutting Edge Cameras and Accessories

Don’t blink or you’ll miss all the advances taking place in the world of photography. Tis the season for camera manufacturers to unveil new products they hope will be ready in time for the holiday shopping season. The following examples are so cutting edge they may not complete final production in time to sit under your tree this year–but there’s always next year. CASIO The company recently announced it has developed a digital camera that can shoot at a rate of 60 photos per second at full resolution. Amazing, right? According to the company, the new camera has a large … Continue reading →