Archive for the ‘How to’ Category

Henry's Fork Moose

Ok…it’s been a while since I’ve done a Q&A session so I thought I would answer a few questions I’ve received over last few months.

Why should I use a lens hood?
I always use my lens hood because it reduces flare from the sun and lights.  Most importantly, it is just another way to protect your glass. I don’t know how many times I’ve knocked my camera in doorways, poles, trees, etc.

Do I need a UV filter?
I always use a UV filter on my lens (personal preference). Once again it’s just another way to protect your lens. I do want to add a special note for those of you who have gone out and bought an expensive lens. There is no sense whatsoever in spending $1,000+ on a lens just to put a cheap $5.00 UV filter on it. You get what you pay for, and if you’re buying expensive glass and plan on using a UV filter, than I suggest buying a quality filter.

When I’m taking sunset/sunrise photos, do I need to remove my polarizing filter?
Depends. Using a polarized filter and playing with the exposure can result in a dramatic sunset/sunrises. Or, if you prefer you can leave the filter off and apply filters in Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture…etc.

What’s your favorite all around lens?
I love shooting with my Canon 24-70mm USM L series. This lens goes with me everywhere.  But I did stop sleeping with it a few years back…

Your favorite camera bag?
I’ve owned a few but I have to say Think Tank’s Streetwalker Pro is my favorite hands down.  This bag is sturdy, has a rain cover thrown in, and it simply works.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I’m always looking for good Q&A ideas so if you have any questions feel free to leave them here.

If you found this helpful consider subscribing to my blog HERE or checking out one of my workshops HERE.

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.

Solitude (1//125 sec at f/22, 16mm, ISO 200)

Dear diary, yesterday rocked.  I got my kid off to school, took care of some work and headed out to frolic in the snow with my camera.   Seriously, yesterday was wonderful here in Chicago.  There’s nothing better than shooting fresh fallen snow in Chicago.   I packed my camera and tripod into my beloved Streetwalker backpack, put my headphones on and headed toward the lake.   Solitude!  I passed a few other brave souls on the way to the lake.  A simple exchange of a smile is all that took to bond with my fellow snow loving friends.   I set up and moved, set up and moved, and repeated this cycle several times over the course of two hours.  Loving every minute of it.  I’m recognizing that  I’m becoming dependent upon these moments to ignite my creative passion.   I guess you could call it a much needed creative self-indulgence.  I normally might feel guilty about these moments.  I mean, I could be in meetings, cleaning my office, walking the dogs, the list goes on and on.  It’s at these moments of great mental debate that I remember a lecture I had once received by good ole’ mom.  “John, you’re much too intense.  You need to learn all of this (referring to work) will always be here.  You need to stop and smell the roses on occasion, otherwise you’re going to burn out.”   So, the debate ends in my head and I indulge my creative soul. Thanks mom.

Some of you might be interested in how I took today’s fun self-portrait so here’s my recipe so to speak:

1. I started with a nice snowy afternoon.  I like to think of snow as a white backdrop in my own private outdoor studio.
2. Be mindful of the surroundings.  If you’re trying to create a high key shot then try to avoid filling the frame with dark objects such as trees.
3. Set your camera up on the tripod.  I recommend covering the camera with an oversized Ziploc or something that will keep it dry while you’re setting up.
4. For this shot I set my ISO to 200, speed 1/125 at f/22 (I needed a darker exposure so I didn’t lose all the detail in the fence)
5. I use a MicroSync radio control trigger to fire the camera.  The camera’s self timer would work too.
6. Find your place in the photo and fire away.

Here’s the sequence in which I worked my voodoo:

1. Increased the exposure by +3
2. I removed a ton of water spots using dust spot removal tool in Lightroom
3. Used a bleach bypass preset (Click HERE to download)
4. Used the saturation brush on my jacket
5. Isolated the red using a preset (Click HERE to download)
6. Removed all distracting objects using dust spot removal tool
7. Did some minor straightening and called it good.

So there you have it…. presto. A fun shot, but the real reward, as always.. was in the journey.

Snow Angel (10 secs at f/22 32mm, ISO 100)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas this last weekend….I know I did.  Today’s blog is a little tongue and cheek but hopefully it will put a smile on your face.  I learned something new this weekend.  There’s an art to making a snow angel.  It was brought to my attention that I happen to date the self proclaimed “worlds best” snow angel maker.  Now, this was news to me, so of course I insisted on a live demonstration; or I think the actual words were “prove it!”  Well, Staci (my girlfriend) did make a heck of snow angel so I asked her to share with my readers what appeared to be a very elaborate technique..

World's Best Snow Angel Maker (15 secs at f/22 31mm, ISO 100)

First, find yourself a nice patch of totally untouched snow (avoiding ALL yellow snow).  Then, and this is key, make as few footprints as possible.   Now that you’ve picked prime snow angel real estate, and kept the human tracks to a minimum, plop yourself down to a sitting position.  Ok, ready?  ROLL back.  NO HANDS!  Just roll, until you’re flat on your back.  Now, extend your arms straight out.

Angel in the making (15 secs at f/22 31mm, ISO 100)

No holds barred here people, it’s cold alright!  But it takes a strong woman to make one of these properly, so don’t hold back!  Now, start flailing your arms and legs like you’re racing Michael Phelps in the backstroke competition.  Once you’re done, (and don’t go too far, we don’t want any patches of dirt coming through) stand up without using your hands.  Ha ha, yeah right.  Maybe if you are Michael Phelps.  But anyway, get up as gingerly as possible, trying not to fudge your wings.  Then, exit the angel EXACTLY in the same foot prints in which you approached your now beautiful work of art.

Thank you Staci for that killer description.  Now, I’m sure some of you have killer tips to the above approach so feel free to share your own technique.   Now, back to work!

p.s. if you attend my workshop in the spring I can’t guarantee we’ll be covering such serious in-depth techniques

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights (1/80th at f/2.8, 30mm, ISO 3200)

Just got back from a whirlwind trip to Michigan where I  visited with family and friends for the holidays.   Some highpoints:  I ate killer buckeyes (chocolate covered peanut butter balls) to no end. My 93 year old grandma told a dirty joke, and my dad turned to me and said , “Have you heard of the U2 ?”  “That Blade guy is a good guitarist”.     Oh…it just got better from there and here’s some proof:

The Pack (1/125 at f/4 85mm, 200 ISO)

The leader of the pack (1/80th at f/2 85mm, ISO 200)

Now, a legit question did come up from my brother in law, who is a self admitted Christmas lights junky.  How do you shoot Christmas  lights?  Well, here are a couple of suggestions that might land you a solid Christmas light shot:

1. Get a tripod or some device that will steady your shot.
2. Consider shooting at dusk so that you can use the available light.
3. Use mirror lockup mode if available.
4. Consider using a cable release or a remote to fire the camera
5. Put your camera on manual mode.
6. If shooting near dusk with a tripod set your aperture to 4.0, ISO 200, speed 1/30 sec.  If shooting in the dark try a higher ISO like 1600.  Results may vary but play with your ISO and aperture as needed.
7. Consider using fill flash if you’re relatively close to the object.  If not, consider using a high ISO setting.
8. Try to be creative and use reflections to enhance your shot.
9. Take test shots ( taking test shots and experimenting is key to making this work, so don’t’ be afraid to play with your settings  a bit).
10. Exposure compensation:  if needed, change you exposure compensation (+ or – as determined needed).

Have fun and let me know what results work best for you.