The ins and outs of Polarizing Filters

An interesting tutorial on polarizing filters. The full written review can be found here.

Picasa 3 beta: Make Your own Movie

Today I downloaded the new Picasa 3, and ran it through some paces. I have always used Picasa to organize my photos. Having thousands of photos on three drives, it's been been quite an organizational endeavor! Picasa has helped me with this gigantic task, and I really like the quick search functions. I have, though, rarely used the editing tools.

Now Picasa 3 is out and with it new features. Things that I liked:

1) A very fast download, and it integrates quickly with Picasa 2.

2) New features with photo editing tasks,all in a very straightforward format.

3) Improved collage tools that have considerably more functionality than of those found in Picasa 2.

4) An easy way to Geo-tag pictures.

5) A smart facial recognition tool, that finds photos with faces, and can find faces by name.

6) The ability to make movies, quickly and easily from stills, that can be posted on both uTube and Flickr.

Well, I was anxious to see Picasa's movie-making abilities and tried it out immediately. It was quite easy and worked flawlessly. The simplicity of the process amazed me - it happened with one click. I am already thinking about using it as a marketing tool for my photos.


The main drawback at present is that you cannot add audio to your movie, but that will soon change. Picasa 3 is still in beta, and adding audio is planned but not yet implemented.

On the whole, I recommend the Picasa 3 download. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Five Free Photo Contests: Better than the Lottery

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Having been a winner of photo contests myself, I am a great believer that you should enter your work. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Most of these contests have odds of winning better than the lottery. In one contest I entered, the odds of winning a prize broke down to 1 in 200. And the Grand Prize was a Ford Escape. I didn't win the Grand Prize, but the prize I won wasn't shabby either.

Take the plunge and try your luck with these:


Photo of the Day: Three winners are picked each month from submitted entries. It is free to enter and there are prizes each month for the top three winners. Prizes are usually high-end Canon Printers.

Circuit City Photo Contest: This photo contest happens in a forum and is restricted to amateurs, but the prizes are great - mostly Nikon and Canon DSLRs. Winners are selected each month. Again, this contest is free to enter. They give away three cameras each month.

The RitzPix Photo Contest: Cash prizes are awarded in this contest. You have a small window to enter, from June 1 to September 15. There are 40,000 dollars in prizes. The grand prize winners receive 2,000 dollars each. And it's free.

Better Photo Photography Contest: Monthly prizes include a Deluxe Better Pholio or a 4-week photography course. First prize winner receives a Tarmac Sling Pack. You can enter a photo a day for consideration in the monthly contest. No fees here.

Cannon Parks Contest: Win a trip for two to any National or State Park and a Canon EOS 5D with an EF 24-105 HSM lens, and a Pixma Pro9500 printer. Entry deadlines are April 22 to September 30.

Digital Camera Lighting: As Simple as 1 2 3

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Here you will find a crash course in digital lighting. Go to each of the sites in order, and you will absorb in lightning speed a quick understanding of the principles of camera lighting.


Step 1. Strobist Preliminaries One great little video, given a five star-rating with 96,000 views.

One comment on this video was:
"In a mere seven minutes and fifty-one seconds you taught me everything I've been trying to learn during the last 5 months." Suddenly you will have the starting blocks to understand strobe photography.

This video is from the great strobist site Strobist: Learn How to Light. They have a good index of posts for further learning.

Step 2. Dave Black Photography has some great information on the practical use of speed lights outdoors. I find his advice very useful, as well as some pointers on how to position the speed lights. You can also find an excellent tutorial by Dave in the Nikon Learning Center.

Step 3. Concepts of lighting and Digital Photography is a no-nonsense, easy-to-understand site with some excellent tutorials.

These three sites helped fill the void for me and I hope they help you also. Now, go out and shoot some great photographs.

A Photo Essay: The Dream

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"Dreams are like the paints of a great artist. Your dreams are your paints, the world is your canvas. Believing is the brush that converts your dreams into a masterpiece of reality."
-unknown-

We all have dreams. Sometimes they can become reality. Sometimes they are so far off that the vision disappears and we never arrive. A dream is almost like a mirage.

Sometimes when we try to reach it, it simply disappears before our grasp, but we keep trying. We keep seeking. And part of the joy is the journey.

Perhaps they will be mirages and just disappear like a reflection in the water, like when the butterfly reaches out to touch his reflection and finds there is not another butterfly there.

"The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle."
-Anais Nin-

Then I met this man on the lake of dreams. He told me something about himself. He told me how he came to this lake to dream. He talked about how he saw a deer everyday who swims across the lake. And then he told me of his dream.

He dreamed of having a boat so he could cross the lake like the deer. He told me as he watched a small boat on the other side of the bank. The boat was distant and could barely be seen on this overcast day. You could see in his eyes his dream, how he would love to be on a boat. To wander near the far banks. To see what life was like on the other side. His dream.

He was an old man with a young dream. And to him it was a dream that would never be. It was always slipping from his grasp, disappearing before his very eyes. He has been dreaming this dream for years, wishing for his boat to take him places he has never been.

"I learned that there were two ways I could live my life: following my dreams or doing something else. Dreams aren't a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. When I dream, I believe I am rehearsing my future."
--David Copperfield

When I left the old man I walked down the bank and around the bend. Sitting there was a derelict canoe that sat there rubbing against the bank. Perhaps lost or abandoned, it sat there, the vision of the old man's dream just out of sight.

I have thought of the old man and wondered, did he find his dream? Or did it just remain out of his sight, and his dream continued to be a mirage? I also wondered if the boat was lost from its owners who would find it, but it was most likely abandoned.

I do wonder if the old man's dream became real or if it continues to be a mirage in his thoughts.

I hope you all find beauty beyond your wildest expectations, that you feel the pulse and flow of nature that I so much enjoy. I hope that your spirits and creativeness leads to new avenues of wonderment and that you find amazement in this thing we call life.
Peace.

Todays Must Reads: Photography News

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How Every Flickr Photo Ended Up For Sale, by Jim Goldstein
An article about how the Flickr API is used by companies and individuals without regard to copyright and a commentary on whose fault this is. A must read for every Flickr user who values his or her photographic art.

I need your Help Badly, By Kris Kros aka Joe
Joe has been a good friend of mine for years. In his field of photography he is the best. Right now, he is facing a crisis in his life and needs our help. He is selling his Fine Art work for a tenth of what it is worth.

How to Win Photography Contests, by PhotoCritic
This lengthy article can serve more than as a suggestion on how to win contests. It gives an in-depth view on what makes photographs great. A must read for any photographer who wants to improve his or her art.

Photo Editing: The Best Programs and Filters

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If you are like me, photo editing is always a quest for finding the best tools. We just want each of our images to be more impressive than the one before. We strive for excellence.

And that quest can empty your pockets pretty quick. Soon you learn, though, what works best for you and find that many of those expensive filters you have bought have remained unused.

Now, I have some recommendations. These are the programs and filters that I use time and time again. And some of the recommendations might surprise you.

The article continues below:



The essential list:

Photomatix: This is the standard HDR (High Dynamic Range) program that everyone uses. It's one of the best and if used properly can really enhance the colors and details of your image.

Photo Impact Pro: It's a program that is very similar to Adobe Photoshop. The advantage of this program is the cost factor. It is much cheaper than Adobe Photoshop CS3 but has many of the same functions. In some ways I prefer this program over CS3 for editing some of my images. The photo above, and this photo, were edited strictly in Photo Impact Pro and Photomatix. I like Photo Impact Pro because sometimes the edited pictures have qualities that I cannot achieve in Photoshop.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended: This is the premier photo editing tool, at least until CS4 arrives. You can take a lifetime learning all the things that can be done with this fabulous program. The major cons of this program are the expense and the steep learning curve.

Filters I use most frequently:

Imagenomic: I use their pro noise reduction program. They do have a free community program that I used for awhile. The only problem I see with the community program is that it greatly reduces the size of the file you are working on.

Nik Software Color Efex Pro™ 3.0: This is a great program for making those photos pop. I love this program and all the filters that are included.

Viveza: It's also a program by Nik Software. Its ability to selectively adjust light, color, and contrast by control points is essential for the pro photographer. I use this program often.

Tiffin Dfx software: This product is sold by the same company that makes excellent filters for lenses. I highly recommend this this comprehensive suite of useful filters, and I use their filters often.

Nikon Capture: This is a great program for editing raw pictures non-destructively. I shoot in raw, and this is the program I use to tweak my photos before editing in Adobe Photoshop or Photo Impact Pro.

Lucis Art: This product adds a very creative unique touch to your photos. It does not work with all photos, but you can get spectacular results. I would add that if you are on a budget this should be the last program that you buy.

These are the programs that I use. You do not need them all at once. I would suggest starting with Photo Impact Pro and the community version of Imagenomic, which is free. Then as you learn and develop skills, start ramping up to the next level. You will know when it is time.

Photographing for Dollars: Sports Photography

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In photography there are certain ways to assure an income. One thing to keep in mind, though - you have to be good. Event photography brings immediate results.

The selling scenario:

A simple formula to follow is if there is avid interest in an activity and you can capture things that stir people's emotional ties, those photos will sell. This is how I do this:

I go to an event such as a Natural Bridge Speedway race. I take pictures. People become curious about the guy with the camera. After the race, I send an email to the owner of the track, and tell them what I am up to. Plus I give them a link to a book I made on Blurb, and hope that they are impressed.

When I go to subsequent races, I bring the books and 8x10s, which are presented nicely in a case. I make sure that I give some photos and books to the owner of the track.



Now, I have their blessings to sell, but I still keep a low profile and let people approach me. Everything sells like hotcakes. I keep my prices low, like ten for an 8x10, and twenty for a book.

A small profit margin, but sales are repeated over and over.


This sounds simple enough, but you need to use tact, and be graceful. And be sure to thank the owner of the event for this special opportunity.

If this is all that happens, you will make some income. However, there are other possibilities.

Start thinking in a larger perspective. Could your photos be used for event promotions? And think of the countless products that could be made and sold through the event owners, or even the participants. Be creative and think out of the box, and even more income could come your way.

Now, this is a small-time operation that is run on a dime. Some people specialize in event photography and have the photos developed on the spot. Operations like this one have really capitalized on event photography.

Personally, I could not develop on the spot. Each photo takes time for me to process and I am very particular in getting the image enhanced just like I like it, but developing on the spot would definitely increase sales.

Shooting Wide: The Sigma 10-20mm Lens

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When it comes to shooting wide, there is only one solution in my mind: The Sigma 10-20mm lens.

The picture at left, (taken by me in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia) shows the beautiful result of using this lens set at its widest setting, 10mm. As you can see there is minimal distortion for shooting at such a wide angle. This picture was taken holding the camera about 90 degrees to the scene.

If you follow the lines in the picture, you can see for yourself the quality of the shot you can get with this lens.

I read plenty of reviews, both good and bad, from prominent lens reviewers before purchasing this lens and and I wondered why there was such a divergence in opinion. Then I looked at the pictures of users of this lens and that made up my mind. This lens was for me.

The article continues below:



The lens is like one thick barrel - it is substantial and has a tight feel when you zoom in and out. I am well pleased with landscape shots I make with this lens.

In the picture of Lynchburg, there is minimal distortion. If you hold the camera and tilt up or down while looking through the view finder you will find that you can add a little distortion with an artistic bent. I do this often to emphasize the clouds or the landscape. The picture of the James River illustrates this technique. I consider this a plus for this wonderful lens.

If you want to shoot wide and are wondering which lens is for you, I think you will agree that this is one fantastic lens.

Buying through these Amazon ads found on my website helps support my photography and this blog.

Photographing for Dollars: Wedding Photography Hints

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So you have that expensive camera and have posted on Flickr, getting glowing comments. Perhaps some mail has come and you have some sales. You want that more expensive lens, and you want to justify the purchase. This article is for you.

Turning pictures into dollars happens fast when you do niche photography, and do a good job of it. One area of niche photography is capturing that memorable moment when the ring is placed on the finger.

Wedding Photography:

Photographers specialize, and perhaps the best known is the classic wedding photographer. They can get between 400 dollars to 2,000 dollars per wedding. Wedding photography is hard work, and you only have one time to get it right. And you better get it more than right to please your customer. If you choose this path, my hat is off to you. But you better be prepared and below is some suggested reading:

A suggestion to an aspiring wedding photographer is to add some features to their total package. Some would be wedding announcement cards, specialized postage stamps, and envelope sticker seals. All of these products can be made on Zazzle, and they do a great job, and the turnaround is fast. Below is an example of what one person did with Zazzle, and from their sales you can see it was quite effective. My experience with them is quite positive.

Bridal Shower postage stamp
by

photoinspiration

Make custom postage With Zazzle.com
Browse more Weddings - Engagements Postage

One thing that is essential for today's wedding photographer is the wedding book. I publish books on Blurb and am quite pleased with the quality. The book creator they use is easy to use, and interfaces nicely with Flickr, as well as other sites.

Wedding photographers have to offer a total package. Develop a list of all that you will be offering your potential clients. Be creative, and offer things the client would not normally suspect. (Like the Zazzle stamps and cards above.) And also see: 21 tips for wedding photographers.

Brad, a very successful local photographer that I have gone on photo shoots with, specializes in weddings. Take a look at his site, and get a feel what is involved in being a successful wedding photographer.

Look for a future article on sports photography, which is a niche that I am developing for myself.

Why Zazzle for a Photo Gallery?

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Before, I told you about Photofront. Photofront is a free gallery that can be upgraded for ten dollars to add some additional features for life.

Well, there is another gallery site that is also free and if used right can generate income.

I first used Zazzle to make some personal purchases: stamps, bumper stickers, magnets, hats and a tee shirt. I was very happy with all of the products, except for the tee shirt.

This was the first tee shirt I made, and the problem was really mine. I should have understood the limitations of the silk screen printing. Plain pictures do not translate well on shirts - you have to make some design considerations that I will get into with another post.

Now, back to the Gallery(The picture above is in my gallery):

The advantages of having a Zazzle Fine photography gallery are:

Its free.

It can beautifully display your fine art photography.

You can design your own gallery, or use their themes.

There is a shopping cart attached, and people can add frames, mats, and choose different types of framing. And the quality of the different printing medias is excellent.
And best of all, you set the price of your commission.

Now, you can set your commission from 10 percent and up. On most of my products other than prints, I use the 10 percent markup (and consider this as personal promotion).

I honestly think, though, for your prints you should get a decent return. I set my commission for fine art prints from 70 percent to 90 percent. I recommend that you do the same.

If you value your art as much as I do, make the statement that your art is worth the price. Not only will you be more satisfied when you get a better commission, your customer will value your art more.

Nikon's most Overlooked Lens: Nikon 55-200vr

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If you are like me, a photographer on a budget, buying expensive lenses are what dreams are made of.

My first lens when I bought my Nikon D80 was the 55-200vr. The picture on the left was taken with it.

This is the cheapest vr lens that Nikon has to offer, and perhaps the least purchased. Many opt for the 18-200vr that costs about 3x more.

Before I purchased this lens, I did some heavy thinking. And these were my thoughts:

The reviews are OK, but not spectacular, and try to point you to the 18-200vr. This is likely to be an entry level lens. Some of the reviews said the focus was too soft. Then I looked at images this lens takes, and was wowed.

Then I started to think counter-intuitively: This lens may not have the lens range that the 18-200vr has, but that also means there will be less compromise in lens quality, concentrating on a shorter range.

Now, after a year of using this lens, it is a favorite. The bokeh (the unfocused background) is superb. In fact, I think it produces the best bokeh of any lens that I have, a stunning bokeh as exhibited in the picture above. I have not seen this in images that the 18-200 produces, and it makes for some very impressive photographs.

If you are the fence about this lens like I was, I can tell you Nikon does not disappoint with this wonderful lens. I love the bokeh, and the colors are so vibrant, and the printed pictures are awesome.



By the way, if you buy this lens through one of the ads on this page, you are helping support this blog and my photography.