Calm Photos

Gearing-up for spring. Now that I’ve discussed why it’s so important for photographers not to make equipment and gear a priority, at the expense of developing a unique, artistic vision, I’m going to talk about gear. However, not the glamorous, souped-up digital SLR camera body with the highest megapixels, or that big piece of lens glass that will be the envy of the camera club. No, the one piece of gear that I have found to be the most beneficial – serving the photographer’s creative vision and not replacing it – is perhaps the least expensive. The simple tripod can do wonders in opening an entire new world of creative shooting, particularly as it applies to nature and landscape photography.

Spring on the Ohio landscape is full of flowing streams, woodland waterfalls, scenic sunrises and sunsets and beautiful macro subjects close to the ground. Almost all of these subjects require longer exposures, that is if the photographer truly desires to capture intricate details and tonal ranges. That wonderful “cotton candy” effect of flowing water can only be captured with shutter speeds that are well below the minimum for hand-holding most cameras with a normal length lens, 1/30th of second.

Nature photographers are also increasingly extending their creative capture techniques to include multi-exposure, High Dynamic Range photography. The most popular post-processing program for HDR work requires two or more exposures that match details, as well as include an exposure or two that’s underexposed (once again, slow shutter speeds).

There’s also the capture of sequential frames for digital stitch, panoramas, which when done properly should all be captured and overlapped using a platform that is carefully leveled and stable.

Perhaps the biggest benefit derived from the consistent use of a tripod for nature and landscape photography is the one not so obvious. Shooting with the tripod requires that the photographer artist to slow down, take his or her time and properly set-up for creating the photograph which best conveys his or her creative vision and artistic interpretation of subject and light. (more…)

Before we say our goodbyes to Winter 2010 (which I’m sure we are all looking forward to doing), I wanted to share my favorite images captured during the season of cold and quiet and subdued light. Locations photographed and shown within this online gallery include Dayton and Hocking Hills, Ohio and Zion National Park, Utah.  Gallery – The Best of Winter 2010.

Also, I’ve created a short “Pictures You Can Hear”slideshow presentation to accompany the Winter 2010 web gallery.

America’s Best Idea – Outdoor Photographer | OutdoorPhotographer.com.

My favorite line within the linked article above, from Ken Burns: “As a child, one of my first memories is of my dad building a darkroom in a corner of the basement in Newark, Delaware. My next memory is of watching the images come up in the developer.”

Never underestimate the importance of providing a positive influence on the young mind and imagination, perhaps most powerful when you don’t even realize that’s what you’re doing. I am always thankful to the adults in my life who provided just such an influence when I was just starting to explore nature and photography. These are the people who open the doors to self-discovery. Even if it takes a number of years of following false paths, those doors always remain open to finally return to, and move with adult steps within.

This lesson is always forefront in my mind when I’m teaching workshops or presenting to groups, especially at schools. Playing it forward and bringing it full circle. I think this is what it means to be truly thankful and blessed.

I’m happy to announce the addition of a second, full-day photography workshop for spring 2010, to be held on Saturday, May 29 at Cox Arboretum. Class is limited to the first 25 people who call (937-432-6711) or email me to register. As is the case with all of my past workshops, the cost is $89 per person which does include a box lunch.

Summer Garden Photography will be an entry-level workshop program for those who are just starting out in digital photography and wish to take their picture taking capabilities to the next level by capturing the natural beauty of gardens and nearby parks. The emphasis of the workshop will be upon basic photography of flowers, insects and wildlife, particularly birds. Jim will discuss the importance of understanding both the craft and the art of fine art nature photography, including choosing the right lens for particular subjects, use of filters, lighting for creative effects, aperture, shutter speed, film speed, time exposures and more. There will also be an overview of basic digital editing and enhancements on the computer using both Apple Aperture and Adobe Photoshop.

Part of the workshop instruction will be held within the MeadWestvaco Theater room in the main building facility at Cox Arboretum. This facility allows for comfortable seating with optimal viewing of speakers and presentations. Jim will be using a laptop computer with LCD projector throughout the workshop to clearly demonstrate the photography techniques discussed as well as slideshows of various nature and landscape images from his award-winning and often published stock library of his most popular photographs.

During the day Jim will also guide the group out to the gardens and outside areas of Cox Arboretum to demonstrate the photography techniques discussed within the classroom. More information . . .

This video tutorial is a response to a recent suggestion from one the subscribers to my YouTube channel. Here I explain and visually demonstrate the difference between a camera with a APS-H size image sensor and one with a full-frame sensor, something that’s important to keep in mind when building a digital camera system involving several lenses. There is one correction I need to point-out. In the video I state that full-frame sensor cameras result in raw image files that are 20+ “megapixels” in size. The correct term should be raw image files that are 20+ “megabytes” in size.

I’m frequently asked for advice and recommendations on purchasing digital cameras. I’ve learned to answer such questions with lots of questions of my own before offering suggestions or direction, questions such as what type of photography do you plan to do, are you going to make large prints with your images, will you eventually expand your digital camera system, etc. Of course the most obvious question is what’s your budget. From there I can provide some general guidelines and resource suggestions.

I’ve also learned to say right up front that I am most familiar with the camera make and models that I’ve been using since about 1980 or so – Canon, and more specifically the Canon EOS line of digital SLRs, lenses and accessories.

I definitely DO NOT get caught-up in the argument, so often overheard amongst local camera clubs, that one particular make of camera is better than the other, and that by simply having a certain camera and lens will make one a good photographer. It doesn’t. In fact I’ve observed that maintaing such a mindset often propels aspiring photographers in the other direction.

Increasingly I’ve noticed that it’s the “gear heads” who almost always end-up striving to imitate another photographer’s work versus exploring their own, original creative approach and exploration of subject representative of unique artistic vision.

It’s a little bit like sports. If the aspiring photographer is lacking in the fundamentals – i.e. original, artistic vision, basics of composition, knowledge of subject, approach, awareness of light, techniques for creative exposure – no amount of money spent on gear will be enough to overcome this vital shortcoming. This is why I stress the fundamentals so much in all of my workshops, no matter what the skill level of my workshop attendees or complexity of overall workshop subject.

With that said, the following article written by Bob Atkins and posted on Photo.net, is a good primer before rushing out to the local Best Buy or ordering online that digital SLR that you’ve had your eye on:http://photo.net/equipment/choosing-a-dslr-camera/

The article is good is because it doesn’t bog the reader down in overly technical descriptions while touching on nearly all of the points of consideration that should go into making a smart purchase of a digital camera system, considerations that are more numerous than was the case with traditional film cameras.

I am also working on my next “Photographic Moment” tutorial video where I will demonstrate the difference between a digital SLR that has a full-frame sensor and one with a smaller, APS-H size sensor. This topic was recently recommended by one of my YouTube channel subscribers.

But once again, FUNDAMENTALS, FUNDAMENTALS, FUNDAMENTALS.

The camera doesn’t walk out into the woods and capture the image. It’s the creative eye, unique interpretation of light and life and the artistic approach of the photographer that make the difference between the ordinary snapshot and the extraordinary photograph. Everything else – all of the tools of the trade – serve the artistic master. Not vice versa.

Hands-down, the “Shoot the Hills” Photography Competition Weekend is the best event in Ohio for anyone with a passion for nature photography. I’ve had the good fortune of being somewhat involved with Shoot the Hills – which helps support all the great programs and conservation efforts of Friends of Hocking Hills – for …the last several years.

Contestants come from all over Ohio, and beyond, and have 24 hours to photograph in the Hocking Hills region. Images are then submitted for judging in several categories including flora, wildlife and people in nature, with awards presented on Sunday afternoon. It’s amazing to see the visual discoveries and photographic talent on display, and all around it is just a ton of fun. Mid-April is often an ideal time to be shooting nature and landscapes in Hocking Hills. Some of the wildflowers are at their peak, including fields of Trillium and Virginia Bluebells, and the streams and waterfalls are almost always flush with spring rain. A couple years back there was a beautiful, evening mist that filled the gorges and hollows.

My friends and founding members of Friends of Hocking Hills – Barb and Jerry Jividen of Jividen Photography and Jennifer Mitchell of Getaway Cabins, along with a team of other dedicated volunteers, willingly and enthusiastically donate a tremendous amount of hard work to make each Shoot the Hills event even more successful than that of the previous year.

This one photography event that I wholeheartedly recommend and endorse. It’s a blast and a great way to support Friends of Hocking Hills and Hocking Hills State Park.