Archive for the ‘Classes’ Category

Winter Pier (1/250th at f/14, 16mm at ISO 200)

Today’s image is the first in a series dedicated to explaining how I go about selecting and making an image.  I’m a big believer in what my accounting professor (you thought I was going to say art teacher didn’t you..) use to hammer in our heads “garbage in/garbage out”  (e.g. if the shot starts out bad chances are it’s going to be bad).   To me it’s all about composition and feel.   On one cold January morning  in Chicago I decided to head toward Lake Michigan.  I figured since it was so cold very few people would be out  and I was hoping last night’s freshly fallen snow would help mask previous visitors.

Once I reached the pier I composed my shot by hand.  When I was satisfied with the composition I then set up my tripod with a cable release.  This minimizes the small amount of motion required to push the shutter button, and will reduce any chances of camera shake.  If you don’t own a cable release I recommend using your camera’s self timer.   Cable releases are relatively cheap so consider picking one up for the future – it will make your life easier.   Whenever I’m shooting still landscapes I always turn on my “mirror lock-up” to help minimize vibrations from the shutter.  Mirror lock-up can be located in almost all camera’s operating menus – on my Canon 5D Mark II it’s located under custom functions.
Now that I have the foundation set it’s time to start experimenting with exposures.  I always try to start with a low ISO to help reduce noise.  ISO selection, while big, is becoming less of an issue with newer cameras.   What was once a race to more megapixels by camera manufactures has now turned into a race to higher ISO while maintaining the quality of the image.  The benefits are huge….but we’ll leave that for later blog. I played with my ISO and apertures for a few minutes while reviewing my histogram.  I finally settled in at an ISO of 200 and  an aperture of f/14 so that I would have sufficient detail in my image.

The next step was to  take several images using AEB (auto exposure bracketing)…  I like to think of this is as an exposure prophylactic (don’t send hate mail it’s just a word).  But when exposure is tricky, such as it can be with snow, or when you’re simply not sure it’s best to cover all your bases.  I take several AEB shots moving in increments of +/- 1/3.  If you shoot any HDR or plan on using images for HDR then you’re probably already familiar with this technique.  In this case, I also decide to bracket for HDR (just in case) but used a full step of +/- 1.

All said and done I shot approximately 40 images (sort of the light side for gunner like me) but I felt the images looked solid, and I was freezing, so I called it good.

So that’s part one of making of the image.  Tomorrow, I’ll walk you through the processing.  I’ll show you the original image and the steps I took to get today’s final version.

If you found this helpful consider subscribing to my blog HERE.  If you’re interested in learning more about  one of my workshops click HERE.

Cloud Gate or "The Bean" (1/8th at f/3.5 ISO 2000)

I’m happy to announce my Chicago workshop coming this June 19th-20th .   My game plan is pretty simple- to have fun teaching eight willing participants the in’s and out’s of how I go about taking photos. We will spend some of the time in the field shooting. and some time in the classroom discussing post processing using software programs like Lightroom. This class is perfect for beginner and intermediate photographers looking to take their skills to the next level. We will cover such subjects as aperture priority, f-stops, exposure, speed, equipment selection, ethics, best practices, marketing, networking, etc.

AGENDA

Saturday

9 a.m.-10 a.m. (meet and greet)

10 a.m.-1 p.m. (shooting in the field)

1 p.m.- 4 p.m. (post processing /Lightroom instruction)

9 p.m. (optional night photography shoot)

Sunday

9 a.m.- 12p.m. (recap, critique, Q&A)

12p.m. (workshop concluded)

The cost of the workshop is $475 payable via PayPal or personal check. If you’re interested in the workshop please drop me a note at john@batdorffphotography.com.

January 2010 Desktop Calendar (1/50 at f/1.6, 50mm at ISO 500)

Let’s get the dirty work out the way first before I start pontificating about New Year’s goals: here are the links to January’s 2010 desktop calendar. For the 1280×800 click HERE; 1600×1200 click HERE; 1920×1200 click HERE.

Ok, truth be told I’m not a huge “New Year’s Resolution” guy.  I try to reassess my goals on an ongoing basis and I’m not one to succumb to putting things off until  the New Year.  However, with that said I think it’s healthy to set goals, and there’s no better time than the present.

My current set of  photography goals:

Try to connect with more photographers
Improve the quality of my blog while still keeping it light
Seek out photographers that inspire me
Continue my education with more seminars or mentorship
Enter more contests
Work on improving my portfolio
Work on my long exposure shots
Slow down and focus on quality over quantity
Work more on my flash photography
Slowly upgrade my optics

Things you should consider if you’re not already doing them:

Get a website
Get some business cards
Get on Twitter and Facebook (connect with fellow photographers)
Subscribe to a photography blog (it’s like a free education)
Find a mentor
Join a photography club
Get to know your camera inside and out
Learn to shoot in Aperture Priority (if not manual)
Take time to learn f/stops, ISO, etc.
Take photos you normally wouldn’t take
Take a photography class
Consider becoming a member of NAPP
Consider signing up for Scott Kelby’s online training for continued education

One of the phrases I’ve grown to love quoting to my daughter is, ”If you’re gonna run with the big dogs you better get off the porch.”   A similar quote I use at work is, “We don’t have time  for paralysis of analysis.”  The bottom line is, I have a bias towards action.   If you really want to get good at something, whether that be photography or parenting, it takes time and effort.  It’s been said it takes 10,000 hours to master a craft.  Well, I don’t know about you but I don’t think Ansel did it from his porch.

Samurai March Man, Kajsa Stolberg 1/80s @ f/5.6, 80mm, ISO 100

Kajsa here today, and I hope everyone had a nice holiday and didn’t get into any fist-fights over half-priced GPS systems like the rowdy folk in my home town.  As for me, graduate school applications are in so of course my week was great.
I spent the last  two months weeding over my photographs that I took while in Japan so I could send in a solid 20 photos for the portfolio portion of the application.  From the collection that I first chose, I actually kept 3 of the same pictures.  It was a process of choosing winners, ditching the losers, replacing previous winners, and discovering photos that I never knew had potential.  Needless to say it kind of consumed me.  I know that I landed on the portfolio I am proudest of though because now that I’ve finished and my stress level is down, family members will actually be in the same room with me.
Self critiquing can be a lot more difficult than critiquing a peer, but I’ll show you how understanding your photographs helps to get you your best results.

A few things I ask myself when I begin my critique,
1. What does my gut say?  Instincts usually don’t lie.  Do I like the photo?  If I like the photo, but something is still bothering me then I ask some more questions, like…
2. How’s the composition?  Now, this may not be what you notice right off the bat, but it’s been high on my list ever since it was first brought to my attention in Henry Rankin Poore’s “Composition in Art.”  It’s such a simple book, but it holds the secrets to really really good art, like pivot points and the rule of thirds.  Check your library for a copy, and you can have it read in an afternoon spent in the company of old books.
3. Is the contrast where I want it?  Black and white shots can knock your socks off if you get the right blackest blacks and whitest whites in balance.  If you have a photo that looks dull, lack of contrast can be the culprit.  In your color photos, vibrancy is the key.
4. How does the subject speak to me?  This probably should be higher on the list, but I tend to look at the mechanics of something before I attach myself emotionally – you may be different!  To get to the point, our favorite photographs usually have a story behind them.  I am so proud of my Tokyo fish market photos because I had to get up at 3:45 that morning to catch the subway before rush hour and make the daily fish auction.  Alone.  Or as alone as I could be in the world’s most populous metropolitan area.  Your favorite shot holds more memories than you’ll ever be able to explain to your viewers, and that’s an invaluable quality that can never be critiqued.  Now with that said, a good story doesn’t always equate to a great photo, but what I’m talking about is getting the shot that not everyone is willing to get and the value in really working for a photo.

These reasons can all work against the photographer though.  If I don’t like a photograph, I then have to ask why not.
- Sometimes it’s as simple as the photo’s not in focus.
- Is the composition static?  What I mean is, does the eye not move across the page?
- Is it unbalanced to the point of distraction?
- Are there spots or unimportant details that also distract me?  Maybe I’ve captured a beautiful sunset, but power lines cross right through the frame in an unattractive pattern.
- Did I fail to fill the frame?
- Is the exposure all wrong?
- Is the subject matter compelling?

What really matters at the end of the day is making photographs that you enjoy.  That’s why you started photography in the first place, right?   Keep in mind that what is most important to me in a photo will not be the same for you.  I’ve just given some basic tips that have lasted the test of time.  Use them to bump your shots to the next level, or to remind yourself what you’ve known all along.

A self critique is an excellent beginning but sometimes having a friend or a third party review you work can be helpful too.  John blogged on the subject HERE.  However, if you don’t trust your friends or family to give you honest yet tastefully constructive feedback then you’re in luck!  We will be continuing John’s online critiques once December begins.  To ensure enough time for quality responses we will limit the enrollment to six, so send John an email to let us know that you’re interested.
The cost for two assignments including useful feedback from us is $50 and you can pay securely by PayPal.  Feel free to email john@batdorffphotography.com with any questions or fill out the form below.

Today you can find me relaxing with the comfort in knowing that my applications are in and I’m proud of the work submitted.  Have a good week, and remember GPS systems are nothing to throw fists over.  A wide angle lens on the other hand…

Goodbye Montana

It’s hard to say goodbye, but it’s time to head back to the windy city. It’s a good thing too because I just spooned out my last ration of peanut butter. “Creamy or crunchy?” you ask. I’ll let you guess. I’ve had a wonderful time here in Montana (as always) and look forward to coming back in the spring. I think I mentioned this before, but I’m planning on doing a Yellowstone workshop next year. Once I get all the details nailed down I’ll let everyone know. If you’re interested drop me a note here on the blog and I’ll put your name on the mailing list. I’ll be tweeting from the road a bit so if you want to follow just click HERE. Be back in online a few days…;)

Chicago 2009 Workshop

Taking Notes

Saturday’s workshop was a blast.  I couldn’t have handpicked a better group of people to kick off our first Chicago workshop.  They were awesome. We ran the gamut of cameras from SLRs to point an shoot.  The team was simply wonderful to work with here in Chicago. The intent was to keep the group size small, so that I would have plenty of time  to work with each participant.  I’ve found from many years of attending conferences that I get the best “walk away experience” when I’m able to talk directly to an instructor.  I think we accomplished that this weekend.   We addressed issues related to camera equipment and care, tough lighting situations, white balance, ISO, speed,  f-stops, composition and we were even able to fit in a two hour Lightroom overview.   I want to thank all of those that attended once again. I can’t wait to do it again this Spring!  Oh, and don’t let me forget,  a special thanks goes to Staci for her help in keeping me organized throughout the day!  If you’re interested in being put on my mailing list for future workshops please drop by my blog and leave me a note.

I would like to remind my readers that I’ve made a few changes to the way I deliver my blog, so if you’re not receiving my blog via RSS feed or via email, I suggest clicking HERE to sign up.   I hope everyone has a great Monday.

Blue Bike

Happy Labor Day!  Today I’m planning on hopping on my mountain bike and riding around Lincoln Park to finalize locations for the upcoming Chicago Workshop. I’ve exchanged emails with a few of the attendees, and I’m must say it sounds like it’s going to be a fun group.  I still have one space available, so if you have October 3rd free and would like to join our small group as we tour Lincoln Park and surrounding areas with our cameras, then drop me an email at john@batdorffphotography.com or use the form below.  Enjoy your day off!…John

Just got back to Chicago after two days on the road, so today’s blog is going to be a little on the short side.    September’s desktop calendar is available HERE for  download.  If you haven’t already, here is a reminder to check out the The “low light” photo contest HERE.  Lastly, I have one spot available for this October’s Chicago workshop, if you’d like more information or are interested, click HERE.

Fountain Paint Pot, Yellowstone

A few days ago I announced my October Workshop in Chicago on Facebook.  The photo I used  to promote the workshop was an infrared image I took in Lincoln Park of the famous  statue of General Grant riding his horse.   A discussion broke out about the merits of photographing statues and a comment was made, “a postcard will do”.  I must say I got a little chuckle out of it because the intention was to promote the workshop, not start  a discussion on “do we like or dislike photographs of statues.”  But, since we’ve gone there, and it is my Fan Page, I guess I’m going to weigh in on this one.  My feeling is this:  photograph whatever your heart desires, if it’s flowers then shoot flowers, if it’s people then shoot people and if it’s landmarks such as statues then shoot statues.  Many years ago, I use to thumb my nose at glamour photographers.  Not because I thought I could do better job, but simply because glamour photography wasn’t my thing.  However, as time has passed and I’ve matured as a photographer, I realize we all have our passions in  life and to each his own.  Now, the timing of this discussion was perfect because I happened to be in Yellowstone when it was taking place.  For many years now, I’ve passed over the four for a dollar postcards of Yellowstone’s iconic images in search of something I can call my own.  My personal preference is, if I’m there then I’m taking the shot and placing my own creative stamp on it, whether that be a landscape or a statue.   There are many people that would rather buy a postcard then take a snapshot and that’s a good thing because I would hate to see a ton of professional stock image photographers out of work.   So, I think in the end it’s really a question personal taste and motivation.   I just happen to be one of those guys that if I’m there, and have camera in tow, then I’m taking the image, whether it be a statue, a building, a mountain or parade.  At the end of the day, I’m a photographer and that’s what I do, take photos.

Grant in Lincoln Park

UPDATE: Is FULL

I’m happy to announce I’ll be hosting a one day workshop in Chicago on October 3, 2009.  The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. until 3p.m. and be limited to four participants.   The plan is simple: we will spend the first part of the morning getting to know one another, reviewing equipment and discussing our approach to the morning shoot.  We will then spend the next couple of hours shooting around Chicago’s Lincoln Park district.  Lincoln Park is a safe and wonderful place to photograph people, animals (Lincoln Park Zoo), the skyline, etc.  Once we have finished our morning shoot we will walk to one of the area’s many wonderful restaurants to grab a bite to eat and discuss our morning shots.  After lunch, we will spend some time processing our images and discussing our shots with the group.    The workshop will be limited to four people so that I have time to work with each of you as needed, plus answer any questions that may arise.   I have a very laid back, approachable style, and at the end of the day  my goal is to create an enjoyable learning environment for all.  The cost of the workshop is $200.00 per person.   If you are interested please drop me a line at john@batdorffphotography.com or fill out this form below (remember to hit the send button).