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Articles by Lindsay Adler

Fashion: Working with Models
Apogee is pleased to bring you the first in a series of articles on Fashion Photography.  Join Lindsay Adler as she teaches photographers the importance of building a good relationship with their models.

Fashion: Gathering the Creative Team
Getting a talented team together for a fashion photo shoot does not have to "break your bank".  Find out how from Lindsay Adler.

Fashion: Get Inspired!
Let your senses take over--the sights and sounds around you can get you inspired for your next fashion photo shoot. Find out how from Lindsay Adler.

Fashion: Props, Backgrounds, Shooting on Location
Learn from Lindsay Adler how, why and when to use these many options during your fashion photo shoots.

Fashion: Three Simple Natural Lighting Techniques
Sculpt your models faces and create beautiful photo effects by managing natural light - learn how from Lindsay Adler.

Fashion: Beauty of a Beauty Dish
Lindsay Adler will "enlighten" you and your subjects on the use of beauty dishes.

Fashion: Painting with Light
A flashlight and off-camera lights? Lindsay Adler will teach you how to light up your models with amazing lighting effects at night. 

Fashion: Three Advanced Lighting Techniques
Want to make those portraits "sing"? Lindsay Adler will teach you how to use diffused sunlight, backlighting and backlighting using reflectors.

Fashion: Making Fashion Fantasy a Reality with Photoshop
In the fashion photography world, not all photos end as they started! Learn the power of Photoshop with Lindsay Adler.

Portraits: 7 Tips on Approaching Strangers for Photographs
Learn from Lindsay Adler how to get those great portrait photos of strangers.

Photo Impressionism Using Photoshop - Part 1
Learn from Lindsay Adler how to create an impressionistic montage using Photoshop tools--it's easy--it's fun.


Articles by Jim Altengarten

Creativity and the Rule of Thirds  
In a "back-to-basics" article, Jim Altengarten discusses how to give your images strength and clarity. Find out how to make your images better.

A Primer on Using Filter-Part 1
by Jim Altengarten

A Primer on Using Filter-Part 2
by Jim Altengarten

Flash Photography—Controlling the Background Exposure
Troubled by black backgrounds when you use your on-camera flash. Here's how to solve that problem.

White Balance and Color Temperature in Digital Photography
Jim Altengarten tackles an often confusing subject for those new to digital photography.

How Your Camera Sees the World
by Jim Altengarten

Photographing Waterfalls
Learn how to use your shutter speeds to capture the beauty of rushing water in this article by Jim Altengarten.

Depth-of-Field Preview: Friend or Foe?
Landscape photographers are very opinionated when discussing the camera’s depth-of-field preview button. This article explains how the depth of field preview operates, its problems, and a few tips for making it work well for you. Check out this article by Jim Altengarten.

Understanding Depth-of-field
Understanding depth-of-field and how it plays a part in your photography is crucial to producing successful images. Learn more about this aspect of photography from Jim Altengarten.

How Your Camera Sees the World
Jim Altengarten explains how your camera meter works and how to get the most of what your camera sees.

Questions to Ask Before Pressing the Shutter Button
Do you think before you shoot? Here are some questions to ask yourself before you push the shutter. Read this article by Jim Altengarten.

Selecting a Tripod
Jim Altengarten tells how to choose one of the most important tools to making sharp photos. Find out how.

My Ten Photographic Principles
Here are ten principles that Jim Altengarten believe are important for a creative photographer. Find out what they are!


Articles by Jim Austin

Photoshop Posters and Murals
Jim Austin demonstrates the use of Photoshop to create very large images. See how it's done.
 
Digital Thinking in the Dry Tortugas:
Establishing a workflow for your travel photography will help you bring back better pictures from your travels. By Jim Austin
 
PhotoShopping: Soft Focus Filters
A short Photoshop tip from Jim Austin

Dancing with Dolphins
Jim Austin talks about a recent experience with dolphins and how "Photoshopping" helped create images that captured that experience.
Your Brain on Photoshop(R)
Seven principles can help us escape imagery that is thoughtless and pictures we have done before.
This is your brain on Photoshop. Read this article by Jim Austin.

Clarify Your Vision: Focus the Photographer First
James Austin exhorts us to get focused before we begin to shoot. 

 
 Digital Time: Take a Clickin’ and Keep on Tickin’
How does time affect you, as a photographer, as well as your photography. A look at time, by Jim
Austin. Read all about it.

HDR For the Love of Light: Vision From Nine photographers. PART 1:
What is HDR photography? Why High Dynamic Range? How do I Make an HDR Image? Check this article out by Jim Austin.

The Beauty of Black-and-White HDR:
HDR, For the Love of Light: Part 3
Part 3 of Jim Austin's series on High Dynamic Range Imaging. Check it out.

Just Ask: 3 Questions
That Make Better Travel Photos
Find out what they are from Jim Austin

How to Take High Dynamic Range Photographs: A Complete Visual, Step-by-step Lesson for the Latest Photo Imaging Technique from Jim Austin.

What HDR Really Stands For: How to Depict Reality
Learn the 5 key advantages to using High Dynamic Range photography from Jim Austin.

Photoshop Master Class:
Magic Light for Nature Lovers

Learn how from Jim Austin - enjoy crafting a dynamic portrait using Photomatrix Pro.

Light of Dei: Exploring the Light Devine
Jim Austin puts a fire of light under your photographic imagination!

Master Class: Where's Your Focus - Steps to Empower Your Imagination
Jim Austin teaches you how to keep your imagination in FOCUSS!

Master Photoshop Class: Bridge Over Troubled Copyright
Learn from Jim Austin how to add a copyright to your photos while downloading from your camera using Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Bridge.

Fall: Photoshop Tips for Leaves
Jim Austin shows you various ways to enhance your fall leaf photos.

Photoshop Master Class: Bullet of Faith
Jim Austin's photographic idea--a merger of a photo, a thought & Photoshop.

Zoom with Your Feet: A Basic Photo Gear Recipe for Beginners and Pros
It's a new way of thinking? and an age old concept--photo zooming with your feet. Jim Austin will teach you how? and why...

Event Photography: "Portraits of Pride"
Jim Austin shares some great tips on how to capture amazing portraits while attending festivals & events. Travel with him as he takes you inside Pridefest 2010 in Denver.

 

Articles by Noella Ballenger

Nature by Design
Learn how to "see" better when trying to get that great nature shot. By Noella Ballenger.

Ten Tips for Great Gardening Photos
Noella Ballenger tells how to get better photos

Getting the Most Out of a Photo Workshop
Make the most of your workshop experience. Noella Ballenger tells us how.

Tips to Make It Great
More tips for great images from Noella Ballenger

Flower Photography
Noella Ballenger explains the best ways to get stunning photographs of flowers. Includes 5 tips for better photography.

Know Your Camera
So, you finally got a camera. Now what?  By Noella Ballenger.

Know Your Camera: More About Aperture Control.
Part 2 of the "Know Your Camera" Series, by Noella Ballenger

Know Your Camera:
More Shutter Speed Tips, by Noella Ballenger 

Know Your Camera  
"Accessories." Part four in a series by Noella Ballenger

Know Your Camera: The Next Step  
Noella Ballenger shows us how to experiment using depth of field.

Seeing With a Master's Eye
You don’t have to be another Rembrandt … you just have to see like one!  By Noella Ballenger.

Know Your Camera: More About Aperture Control.
Part 2 of the "Know Your Camera" Series, by Noella Ballenger

Just Have Fun Noella Ballenger shares a recent outing to the ice rink. Take a look.

Excuses
“Bakersfield is a long way to drive” and other excuses by Noella Ballenger. See if you recognize any of these excuses that you use to avoid taking photographs.
 

Creative Experimentation
"I've found that the way I learn best is to set up experiments.  They always begin with the question, 'What if I tried …?'" Learn more about creative experimentation in this article by Noella Ballenger

Photography for a Special Purpose Whether you’re writing a photo story or planning to put together a group of photographs for a specific “story purpose” such as a slide program or article, there are specific actions you can take to make the job smoother and easier for yourself.  Find out how to make your "project" more effective in this article by Noella Ballenger.

Special Moments
Once your friends and family realize you know how to use a camera, they often give you an "opportunity" to document their special moments. Noella Ballenger tells us about a recent one. Check it out.

Get Intimate with Your Subject
Getting close is one of the best ways to get great flower photographs. Noella Ballenger tells us how she does it.

The Doldrums
Stuck in a rut? Can't get motivated to take photos? Here are some ideas by Noella Ballenger to get you out of your doldrums.

Funlight
Break some rules this holiday season, by Noella Ballenger.

Photographic Choices
Making decisions about how you want your photos to look can be simple or complex. Here are some ideas to help make the process easier. Read this article by Noella Ballenger.

Finding "Life Themes"
Learn from Noella Ballenger how to find out what photography compositions spark your creativity.

Learning to "See" with Our Other Senses
Try this exercise of the senses and learn from Noella Ballenger how to improve your photography--it goes beyond just seeing.

Seeing Creatively: An Exercise in Cropping Your Photos
What photos are hidden within your photos? Learn about the creative side of cropping from Noella Ballenger.

National Wildlife Refuges: A Special Birding Treasure
Look all around! The land and skies are full of opportunities to capture great bird photos as they migrate to warmer climates. Noella Ballenger will give you some guidelines to follow when visiting wildlife refuges.

"Seeing the Essence" in Your Photographs
Noella Ballenger will help guide you towards developing your own sense "of essence" when taking your photos.

Finding "The Essence" of a Photographic Subject
Does your subject move or remain static? Noella Ballenger helps you discover more ways to depict "the essence" in your photos.

Photographic Creativity: The Subject is Flowers
Is flower photography your passion? Learn from Noella Ballenger how to create stunning flower photos--share the intimacy with your viewer.

Photography: A Merger of Your Senses, Words & Photo Skills to Create Photo Memories
Learn how to share your photographic vision and make a connection with your viewer. Travel with Noella Ballenger to California's Carrizo Plain.

The Photographic Quest: Do It Right in the First Place
Learn from Noella Ballenger how to make those photographic choices in the field in order to grab the viewers attention.


Articles from Willis T. Bird

First Class Photography
First class photographs aren't made with expensive equipment, but by first class photographers. The first in a series by Willis T. Bird.
 
First Class Photography: Family Tree Project
Willis T. Bird shows you how to help preserve your family's history, and with a really fun project.
 
First Class Photography: Contests
by Willis T. Bird 
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY:
"An Overview of Equipment: It’s a Personal Matter"  
by Willis T. Bird
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY:
The Junior Safari
 
Willis T Bird shows you how to take safari type pictures without traveling across the globe.
 
First Class Photography:  Photography of Collections
A new Photography For Young People's article by Willis T. Bird.
First Class Photography:
"Cameras and Auto Parts" A Photography for Young People article, by Willis T. Bird.
 
First Class Photography:
"Taking the Mystery Out of Photographic Terms" Join Willis T Bird as he explores the meanings of basic photographic terms. Part 1 of 2.
 
First Class Photography:
Join Willis T Bird in the second installment of "Taking the Mystery Out of Photographic Terms."  Click Here if you missed part one.
 
First Class Photography:
Dry Underwater Photography? Join Willis T Bird in the next installment of "First Class Photography."
 
First Class Photography:
"What makes a contest winner?" Find out what makes a contest winner in this article by Willis T Bird.
 
First Class Photography: Getting In The Mood
Willis T Bird talks about photography and how mood plays--or can play--a big part. A Photography for Young People Article. Check it out.
 
First Class Photography: Flowers
Flowers are a good subject especially at this time of year. Here are some tips for getting them. A Photography for Young People Article. (It's not just for young people!) By Willis T Bird.
 
First Class Photography: Summer Time Fun
Great subjects are everywhere in the summer. Remember to protect you and your equipment. Check out this "First Class Photography" lesson by Willis T. Bird.
 
First Class Photography:
"Read all about it." By Willis T. Bird
 
First Class Photography:
"Bird Photography" by Willis T. Bird
 
First Class Photography:
"What lenses do I need?" by Willis T. Bird
 
First Class Photography:"Zoo Photography"
It's a zoo out there! Willis T. Bird tells us how to get the best out of our zoo photography.
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: "Beginning Digital Photography"
Check out this informative article by Willis T Bird.
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: "Sunrise/Sunsets"
Some tips on how to photograph beautiful sunsets safely. By Willis T Bird. Find out how.
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: "Fall Photography"
by Willis T Bird.

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: "Lighting"
Lighting is one of the most difficult things to learn about in photography. Willis T. Bird
shows you how to get started.
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: "Problem Areas"
Sometimes your images are not as sharp as they should be. Here are some tips, by Willis T. Bird, to
help you solve this problem.
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: “Taking Care of That New Camera”
Willis T Bird gives us some tips on taking care of a new camera. Check it out. 
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: “Aircraft”
Air shows occur all around the country (and world). They provide some great opportunities for photography. Willis T Bird gives us some tips to make sure we get the best photos possible. Check it out.

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: “Go Long-Go Wide”
There are many kinds of lenses to use with your SLR or DSLR. Which one you choose depends on what you are shooting and why. Find out more.
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: “Flying Flowers"
Butterflies have been called "flying flowers." Find out how to photograph these beautiful creatures, in this article by Willis T Bird.

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: "Back to Basics-What is a Good Picture?"
What does it mean for a photo to have impact. Find out the answer to this and more in this article by Willis T Bird.
 
FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: "Tripping into Fall"
Willis T Bird describes a recent trip to photograph the Fall colors. Check it out.

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: “Shooting Birds”
Bird photography is fun, but not always easy. Willis T Bird tells us how to get started.
Check it out.

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: Sunrise-Sunset
Probably the most photographed thing in the world are sunrises and sunsets. Willis T Bird shows us how to get the best shots of the sun. Check it out.

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY:  “Talking Sports”
If you are interested in shooting sports, a key rule is "Be Ready!" Find out more in this article by Willis T Bird.

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: “Ideas”
Find out how simple it is to find photography subjects in this article by Willis T. Bird.

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: “I Shutter to Think and More”
Learn about the camera shutter, exposure, depth-of-field and focal planes in this article by Willis T. Bird.

 


Articles from ACDsystems and Kris Butler

Gray Card Readings: Exposure Control for Tricky Light
Kris Butler instructs on the use of gray cards for accurate exposures. See how it's done.

Using Your Zoom Better
Use your zoom lens for creative flexibility. Here's how in an article by Kris Butler.

Portraits: Backdrops, Settings and Lighting
Kris Butler givers us some tips on how to get the best out of your portraits.

Architecture Photos: Spicing Up Your Collection
See how you can make your travel photos more interesting in this article by Kris Butler.
 

Articles by Paul W Faust

151+ Things to Photograph, A -Z
Short on ideas of what to shoot this weekend? Paul W Faust gives you some ideas and tells you how to make your own lists.

Mylar Reflections for Beauty and Abstracts
Need a change in direction - a new idea to stir your creative juices? Paul W. Faust explores mylar and the photography of reflections.

Renaissance Pleasure Faire
Regional Renaissance Fairs are unbelievable opportunities to photograph hundreds of costumed participants. There are also activities, and arts and crafts to catch your fancy. Paul W Faust gives us some tips on how to get the best results when you go back in time.

 

Articles by Michael Fulks

Michael Fulks' Fascination with Infrared Film and How to Correctly Use It

Michael Fulks: Infrared Film and How to Correctly Use It, Part II

Composition: A primer in negative and positive space. Part 1  

Composition: A primer in negative and positive space. Part 2

Focusing When Using Infrared Film.
Part 3 in a series about infrared film.

Is Your Darkroom Safe?

Some safety tips to make your darkroom safer.

Does Your Left Brain Know What Your Right Brain is Doing?
Some exercises to get your brain working.

They Shoot Horses Don't They
A two part article about photographing horsing events, with primer about panning.
By Michael Fulks

Gesalt: "Equilibrium"
by Michael Fulks
The first in a series about composition.

Gesalt: "Closure"
by Michael Fulks
The second in a series about composition.

Gestalt: Proximity 
by Michael Fulks
Third on a series about composition. 

Gestalt: Lines of Sight 
Michael Fulks talks about the concept of "Continuity" as an aid to composition in the fourth article in a series.

Gestalt: Figure/Ground
Next article in a series on using the concepts of perception to help design your photographs.

Gestalt: Isomorphic Correspondence
Sixth in a series, Michael Fulks discusses  how our brain processes images and how this knowledge will make your images more meaningful to others.

The Model Release, A Primer
Confused about the model release? This should answer most of your questions.

Calibrating Black and White Negatives
Michael Fulks tells how he calibrated black and white films for optimal results.

Calibrating your B/W negatives (Part 2)
Part 2 of a system to help get the most out of your B/W negatives.

Anatomy of a Smile
There are  many kinds of smiles. What kind your subject has can make or break the portrait. Do you know how to tell the difference? Check out this article by Michael Fulks.

"The 2'fer"
What makes one picture of two boys stand out, while another is only good for the refrigerator door? Successful photos have several things in common. Studying how these factors combine to make a good picture of a two people can help you with a variety of photographic subjects. Learn how in the article by Michael Fulks.

Gestalt Theory and Photographic Composition
Are there rules for composition and design? The first in a series of articles, by Michael Fulks, begins with "Equilibrium". Check it out.

Gestalt Theory and Photographic Composition, Part 2.
The second in a series of articles from the archives by Michael Fulks. Find out all about "Closure."

Gestalt Theory and Photographic Composition, Part 3.
The third in a series of articles from the archives by Michael Fulks. Find out all about "Proximity."

Gestalt Theory and Photographic Composition, Part 4.
The fourth in a series of articles from the archives by Michael Fulks. Find out all about "Continuation."

Gestalt Theory and Photographic Composition, Part 5.
The fifth in a series of articles from the archives by Michael Fulks. Find out all about "Figure/Ground"

The Photo Educator: "Stealing Vermeer": Lighting Project for Advanced Photo Students
Learn from photography instructor, Michael Fulks, how to use the concepts and techniques of the artist "Masters" in studio photography.


Articles by John Gerlach

Viewing Through a Grid  

John Gerlach: I Bracket Exposures Too
Famed nature photographer and world traveler joins us.

Seeing Deeply.
Some tips on how to improve your artistic vision.

Long Lens Flowers
Use a telephoto lens on your close-ups for even better pictures.

Photographing Blue Wildflowers
The blue light of open shade causes many problems for the wildlife photographer. Many use warming filters to correct the problem. But what if the subject is already blue? John Gerlach tells us how to get our blue flowers to turn out blue.

 

Articles by Mike Goldstein

Pageant Photography
How to photograph historical pageants, by Michael Goldstein

Insider: Photographing Interiors
How to photograph
the interior of buildings, by Michael Goldstein

Step-by-Step RGB Image Correction in Photoshop
Here's an easy to follow step-by-step procedure to help you get what you expect from a digital image. By Michael Goldstein

"How To Carry It Off (Successful Walking Assignments For the Photographer)"
It takes more than just being in the right place. Mike Goldstein takes us to Bryce Canyon and shows us how to get images for stock use. See how he does it.
 

Photography: The Supporting Cast
The most often cause of blurry images is not having enough support when you take the photo. Here are some solutions to the problem. Read this article by Michael Goldstein

Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is not beautiful in the usual sense....not beautiful how?  Find out how! 
 

Enhancing Your Photography with Flash Techniques: Part 1
Learn about the use of flash from Mike Goldstein.

Enhancing Your Photography with Flash Techniques: Part 2
Learn about the use of flash from Mike Goldstein.

The "Do's" and "Don'ts" of Bird Shoots
Learn photography techniques for getting good bird photos from Mike Goldstein.

Introduction to Macro Photography
Join Mike Goldstein as he discusses what it takes to create stunning close-up photos--his are a world of flowers.

 

Articles by Chris Groenhout

Star Trail and Moonlight Photography
The night sky offers many opportunities for the adventurous photographer. Chris Groenhout and Czesia Markiewicz tell you how to get the most out of your nighttime photos.

Aerial Photography for Beginners
Australian photographer Chris Groenhout tells us how to get started.

Process as Metaphor
A Photo Essay by Sarah Van Keuren about pinhole photography, gum bichromate and cynanotype printing. 

Guide to Photographing Display Homes for fun and profit (mainly profit, actually)
Learn how to get the best results from your display and model home photography. By Chris Groenhout  

Ten Steps to Setting Up a Home Darkroom
Chris Groenhout tell us how to turn unused space in your home into a functional darkroom.

Photographing People: A beginners guide to portraiture. by Chris Groenhout

 

Articles by Andy Long

Catching Waterfalls
Andy Long gives us some tips on how to make successful waterfall images.

A Different Kind of Moon Shot
Andy Long tells us to plan and execute your own moon shots.

"Jumping Out"
Andy Long gives us some tips on how to make your images stand out.

Snow
Learn the ins and outs of shooting in the snow in this article by Andy Long

Photo Design Concepts, Part 1
When you are making a photograph, it is good to keep some basic principles in mind to guide you in your composition. In this first part of a three part article, Andy Long discusses some of these concepts. Learn more.

Photo Design Concepts, Part 2
Part 2 of a three part article about basic design concepts to guide you in your photographic compositions. Learn more in this article by Andy Long.

Photo Design Concepts, Part 3
Third part of a three part article about basic design concepts to guide you in your photographic compositions. Learn more in this article by Andy Long.

Beyond the Rodeo
Join Andy Long at the recent National Western Stock Show and Rodeo and learn some tips on photographing the action.

The Need for Speed
How fast do you need to be?
Find out more from Andy Long

Earth Portraits
Learn how to take close-up photos of landscapes from Andy Long.

Butterfly Houses
Learn how to get great photos of many species of butterflies at the Butterfly Houses - by Andy Long.

Simplicity: A Distinctive Photographic Form of Art
Focus in--keep it simple!  Learn from Andy Long how to create eye catching photos by using good compositional techniques.

The Photo List: Your Personal Bucket List of Places or Subjects to Photograph
What locations or shots do you want to add to your photographic files? Andy Long tells us how to create a list in order to reach your goals.

Learning Photography Never Ends: Hot Air Balloon Glows & Backgrounds
Learn from Andy Long how to capture the colorful glows of hot air balloons at night.

School's in Session for Nature & Wildlife Photography
Learn from Andy Long what study & research goes into your equipment and photo subjects in order to capture great shots.

Isolation: Two Divergent Views of a Photographic Topic
Learn from Andy Long the ways to depict isolation when photographing your subjects--a location, a feeling, a photo technique...

 

Articles by Bill Miller

Decisive Moments  
A personal look at capturing magic moments by Bill Miller. Second in a series

Decisive Moments: The Art of Seeing
Why isn’t the picture you just picked up from the lab the scene you remember having taken?  Are your photographs disappointing you? In fact, the image you "see" in your mind’s eye may not be what your camera is seeing.  By Bill Miller

Decisive Moments: Why I Like B/W Photography Best
by Bill Miller

Decisive Moments: Get the Message
Signs, banners, and messages you may find in your travels may be worthy of being saved on film, and you might also end up with photos that bring laughter, tears, a sense of irony, and better understanding of the world. A column by Bill Miller.

Decisive Moments: Pix of the Kids
Bill Miller gives us some tips about photographing small children.

Decisive Moments: Pix of the Kids
Bill Miller gives us some tips about photographing small children.

Troubled Days and Airline Travel
Bill Miller gives us some tips about getting your equipment and film through the maze of airport security. 
  

Disabled? Not With Photography
Millions of people are handicapped in some way, but they don't let it get in the way of their creativity. By Bill Miller.
 

Making, Not Taking, Photographs
The difference between taking and making a photograph or picture is big. Find out more in this article by C. Bill Miller

 

Articles by Brian Ratty

Posing Tips
Posing your subject is more than good luck. It is a combination of many factors. Here are some tips to help you get better people pictures. By Brian Ratty.  

Close-ups and Long Shots
Too many photographers shoot their pictures from some middle distance and then wonder at the static quality of their images. Here's how to get more dynamic shots. By Brian Ratty.

Character Studies
What is the difference between a character study and a portrait? How do you make your subject comfortable in front of the camera? Brian Ratty answers these questions and more.
s

Understanding the Sunny f16 Rule
Any good photographer must learn to "out think" the camera’s meter. To accomplish this an understanding of the "Sunny f/16" rule is essential. By Brian Ratty.

Art or Abstract Photography
Can a photographer also be an artist? by Brian Ratty.

Pet Photography
Patience is, without a doubt, the prime requisite in photographing pets. Brian Ratty tells us how to plan our pet sittings to get the most out of them.

Night Trick.   
Use two separate time exposures to get really cool night shots. By Brian Ratty

B&W: Brightness & Brilliance
Black and White basics, by Brian Ratty

 

Articles by Nancy Rotenberg

Close-up Photography
A new series of articles about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg

Close-up Photography: Exposure
Second in a series of articles about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg 

Close-up Photography: Equipment
Second in a series of articles about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg 

Close-up Photography: Magnification
Fourth in a series of articles  about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg

Close-up Photography: Natural Light
Fifth in a series of articles  about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg

Close-up Photography: Flash
Fifth in a series of articles  about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg

Close-up Photography: Esthetics
Fourth in a series of articles  about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg

Close-up Photography: Adding Interest
Fourth in a series of articles  about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg

Close-up Photography: Filters
Fourth in a series of articles  about close-up photography by photographer and writer Nancy Rotenberg

Magnification Devices:
Excerpted from Chapter 1, "How to Photograph Close-ups in Nature"
by Nancy Rotenberg & Michael Lustbader

 

Articles by Brad Sharp

How to Get "Tack Sharp" Photo Images - Part I: Shutter Speed, Focal Length, Image
Stabilizers and Tripods

Are you having difficulty capturing the sharpest of photo images right from the source--your camera? This is the first in a six part series where Brad Sharp will guide you towards creating those "tack sharp" photos.


How to Get "Tack Sharp" Photo Images - Part II: Aperture & Lens Quality
Have you found that "sweet spot"--that optimal f-stop number to get the sharpest of images?  Is your lens performing up to its standards of quality? Brad Sharp continues to guide you on how to create your very best "tack sharp" photos.


Articles by Steve Traudt

The Fifty-Cent Solution
Exposure can be a difficult concept to understand. Photography educator Steve Traudt explains how a meter works and how you can get the most out of it with an inexpensive tool.

Electronic Flash: A Primer
Steve Traudt introduces readers to the basics of using electronic flash.


 

Articles by John Watts

Photofinishing with Photoshop: Introduction to Photoshop
Take your image from good to very good by using simple Photoshop tools - learn how from John Watts
.
 
Photofinishing with Photoshop:
Introduction to Contrast & Color

Learn from John Watts how to refine the contrast & color in your photos by using Photoshop "tools".
 
Photofinishing with Photoshop:
Curves Adjustment Layer - Part I

Learn from John Watts how to control the color and contrast in your photos by using Curves.
 
Photofinishing with Photoshop:
Curves Adjustment Layer - Part 2

Continue with John Watts and learn how to adjust the brightness, contrast and color of your photos by using Curves.
 
Working with RAW Images in Photoshop
Learn from John Watts how to work with Adobe's Camera RAW Plug-in and create stunning images.
 
A Better Way to Sharpen in Photoshop - Part 1
Learn from John Watts the steps to sharpening your images in Photoshop without over-sharpening.
 
A Better Way to Sharpen in Photoshop - Part 2
Learn from John Watts a second way to sharpen your images in Photoshop using the High-Pass Filter.
 
Working with Palettes/Panels in Photoshop
John Watts will get you started in how to set up a proper workspace in your Photoshop desktop.
 
The "Hue-Saturation" Adjustment Layer in Photoshop
Learn from John Watts how to correct contrast & color by using the hue-saturation tools in Photoshop.

 

Other Articles

Meet Nitsa, The Non-Photographer: Tips for photographing outside the box...

Art and Play: No Fear
In the second of a series, Marsea Wynne considers a "lighter" side of making art.

Defining a Personal Vision
How do you define a personal vision with your photography that lifts the human spirit, offering the world the gift of fine art.  Marsea Wynne shares some of her ideas.  

A Still Photographer's Guide to Better Video.
Tips from an expert videographer.
By Peter B O'Neil

Our "PhotoSmith," Mark Smith Joins Us With A Column About The Basics In this first issue,
Mark covers the most important thing about photography, Light!

Getting Close 
by Bob Grytten. 
Getting up close your subject can give your photography a boost.

Using the Zone System in the Field
Bob Hitchman gives us some tips about using the Zone System for better pictures

The Expressive Image
Nine steps towards more creative images, by Brenda Tharp

Vision Unique
Each person had his or her own vision of the world. Helen Longest-Slaughter Saccone and Marty Saccone, veteran photography teachers, tell how to tap into your own vision unique.

Daytime Lightning Photography Tips 
Here's how to get fantastic lightning shots even in the daytime!

Through the Pinhole Eye
By Scott McMahon. The pinhole camera remains a part of our photographic tradition. Many photographers still use it today to present a unique vision of the world.

Alternative Printing
Marci Cooke introduces us to another technique for printing your B/W images using a paint-on emulsion.

Taking Better Portraits
Here are some tips for better portraits from Marci Cooke.

Frozen Beauty
It has started snowing in the high country of the Rocky Mountains. Here's how to get the most out of your cold weather photography. By Brenda Tharp.

Aerial Photography for Beginners
Australian photographer Chris Groenhout tells us how to get started.

Strategies for Lightning Photography
R. Franklin Davis tells how to make better lightning photos and stay safe at the same time. 

Unseen Infrared
IR film offers some exciting creative alternatives. Here are some tips, from photographer and teacher Sandy Sorlien, to get you started right.

Nikon F5 and Stabilizer
Using a stabilizer can improve your shots of moving objects. Lou Jawitz tells us how. 

A "Starter Set" of 15 Digital Imaging Techniques
Here is a selection of ideas to start your own collection of photos for your own digital projects. Excerpted from Digital Camera Solutions. By Gregory Georges

Rock Concert Photography
It has sometimes been said that photographs of sweaty rock bands are a cliché, predictable in their lowness of art. But it doesn't have to be that way. Found out how to avoid the cliché. By Lisa J. Young.

Fine Art Printing: The Giclée Print
You may have heard of them or even seen one. But what is all the fuss about? By Heather Clifford

Portraiture: the Pleasure of Knowing People
Len Bernstein discusses his philosophy of portraiture.

Out of the Darkness
If you use a digital or a conventional film camera, using external lights can turn your snapshots into true photographs, delivering the warmth, depth and professional touch that will make your shots truly impressive. By Douglas Stevenson

Increase Your Creativity with Multiple Exposures
Here's four multiple exposure techniques you can try to expand your creativity.

Focusing on a Tender Subject
Tricks of Good Baby Photography
by Doug Stevenson
 
Left Brain-Right Brain Photography The Ethics of People Pictures in Travel Photography
Just what are the ethics of making people pictures while traveling? Should we pay for the privilege of doing so or are we creating beggars out of those who would otherwise be happy to pose? Is it OK to offer candy or pens to the children? Find the answer to these and other questions in this article by
Karen Gordon Schulman
 
Where Does Creativity Come From?
Creativity does not just happen. We make it happen. By Michael Orton
  
Left Brain-Right Brain Photography
We are, as humans, a finely tuned combination of left and right brain functions. Photography offers us the opportunity to balance our thinking with feeling, our intellect with intuition, as we respond to the world through our images.  Learn how you can develop both sides of your creative brain in this article by Karen Shulman
  
Action Cowboy Photography

Read how its done by the nation's best cowboy photographers, Steve Thorton.
 
Photography for Young People: The Reciprocity Rule
Your camera meter may indicate an exposure that works for the scene, but if you know the rule of reciprocity, you can choose a wide variety of exposure settings.  Matthew L. Kees explains the importance of using the setting on your camera to get the images you want. Find out more.
 
Photo Composition: Using Perspective
Learn how to use perspective to make your photos stronger. Read this article by Wendy Folse with Kris Butler.
 
“You Go into Photography with the Camera You Have, Not the Camera You WISH You Had….”
What does E. David Luria mean by this? Find out. It just may make your photography better!
 
Focusing in Difficult Scenarios
Sometimes it is difficult to focus properly. Here are some tips from Kris Butler to help you get sharper pictures. Check them out.
 
Photocopy Transfers
Looking for something new and unusual to expand your photographic repertoire? Sophia T Romero gives us instructions for an alternative process. Find out all about it. 
 
Timing is Everything...
The golden hours of nature's light -
Find out more from Christopher K. Sandberg
 
Sharpening Your Creative Eye
How can you produce those creative photographs?
Find out how from Steve Gottlieb  

Another Angle
Find out how your approach to photographing a subject can change from Kelly Mitchell.
 
From Dream to Reality: The Photographic Diary of a Community
Gerry Gooderham explains how the Temagami Elders Portrait Project in Ontario, Canada came to fruition--start your own visual historical record of the elders in your community.
 
Photography Tips: Capture the Action of Winter Sports
Red Bull Illume talks with the noted Swedish sports action photographer Johan Stahlberg.
 
Seeking Your Own Vision with an Assortment of Camera Tripods
Margo Taussig Pinkerton will have you prepared when you go to purchase a camera tripod and ball head. Learn about the features you'll need.
 
Children's Photo Portraits:  Learn Tips & Tricks of the Trade
Cathy Topping will give you tips on how to capture great images of children. Learn how to work with them and learn how to use a variety of lighting techniques to create those cherished memories.
 

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