Tag Archives: taking pictures

Conducting a Photo Evaluation

For the past few months I have been creating photo pieces for my ailing grandmother. I have been using pictures of her grandchildren and great children (my daughter and my brother’s son) as the centerpieces of each project and as such I have really been able to examine my shooting style. If you haven’t done so recently I highly suggest going through several months’ worth of shots you’ve taken in various elements. By examining the photos you can see what areas you need to work on the next time you frame up your shots. Here are some of the notes … Continue reading →

Ready, Set, Shoot—-in the Cold

In my previous blog I provided tips on how to protect yourself and your equipment from the elements during winter shoots. I also pledged to get out and capture Mother Nature at her frigid best a bit more this winter season and I hope that I have convinced you to do the same. So, now that you know how to keep your equipment in tip-top working condition in the snowiest conditions here are some technical points to remember before you start snapping: LIGHTING I grew up in Hawaii, where unless you had access to a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you didn’t … Continue reading →

Tips On Photographing Your Child’s Masterpieces

Think fast: What color is your refrigerator? If you have mini-Picasso’s living in your home you may have to think about that question for a while. If your frig looks anything like mine you may not even know what color the handle is. My daughter’s artwork covers every millimeter of our refrigerator. And believe me, she knows if even one of her drawings or paintings has been removed. To keep her mosaic masterpiece under control I’ve been forced to get creative. In doing so I have learned that photography is a perfect way to tame the Crayola beast. Here’s how: … Continue reading →

Photography Lessons: The Rule of Thirds

I’ve touched on the topic of composition in previous blogs, but I’ve never gone in depth about the “Rule of Thirds.” It was one of the first lessons I learned during my college photography class and one that I have continued to apply to improve my shots over the years. The act of composing a shot boils down to focusing your attention on the subject and its surroundings in the viewfinder. Basically, you want to pay attention to how you set up your shot before snapping your picture. If you are shooting with a digital camera you have the advantage … Continue reading →

Think Pink With Your Camera

I am pleased to be able to bring a touch of pink to the Photography blog. For past couple of weeks I have been writing about products designed to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. (For those of you who don’t know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.) But, those articles have only appeared in the Popular Culture and Travel blogs. Finally, there’s a product on the market that fits perfectly in this blog—-thanks to GE. General Electric’s subsidiary, General Imaging has just unveiled a specially designed Breast Cancer Awareness digital camera, which will be available on the Home Shopping Network. Proceeds … Continue reading →

Capturing Candid Shots

Posed shots are wonderful ways to document family members and friends. However, people tend to put on a mask when they pose and by doing so you lose the raw emotion of a given moment. Don’t get me wrong; posed shots or portraits are vital to have if you want formal artifacts of an event. I just personally enjoy mixing formal shots with a few candid ones. Whereas portraits contain a more intentional composition, candid shots allow you to be more creative and you are able to capture the true essence of an event a bit better. So how do … Continue reading →

Photography is For Everyone

You do not have to be a professional or even a big hobbiest to enjoy taking photographs. Photography is for everyone, no matter their age, or experience. Even someone who rarely holds a camera or captures a moment can take a fabulous photograph with the right camera and some patience. In fact, photography is about patience. If you do not get that shot the first time, do not just give up and assume you won’t. Keep snapping. It takes a lot of messed up shots, to get that good shot that everyone wants. Photography is a fun hobby that can … Continue reading →

Photography Week In Review For September 24-29, 2007

Are you looking for ways to spice up your shots? Or, perhaps you are more interested in learning how to extend the life of your camera or get tips on how to use natural light to your advantage when you are shooting outdoors. If you are, 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. Take a look: September 24th—Snap Happy Parents Unite! Instead of being embarrassed by the number of pictures you have of your children this blog … Continue reading →

Spicing Up Your Shots

Have you ever watched a professional photographer in action? I had the great fortune of working with some of the best videographers and still photographers during my tenure as a TV journalist and the one thing they all had in common is that you would rarely take a shot at eye-level. Typically, they were crouched under a bench or standing on a tree stump or on the bumper of the news vehicle. That’s because they realize that shooting from different angles greatly enhances the composition of an image. Even the most common items can appear interesting when they are snapped … Continue reading →

Seasonal Photo Tips—Using Natural Light To Capture Fall Colors

Mother Nature is putting on quite a show in our neck of the woods. The trees are exploding with vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. I’ve already tried to snap a few pictures of my daughter frolicking amongst the leaves. But most of them are still clinging to the branches so I’ll have to wait a couple more weeks before I get a nice shot of her popping out of a pile of leaves. I love this time of year. Not only because the weather turns crisp and the leaves create breathtaking backdrops, but autumn provides wonderful opportunities to use natural … Continue reading →