Learning

Taking a step back from our camera and our photographs, we explore the three main components that every great photograph should have. You may find it interesting that perfect exposure isn’t the most important element.

So you acquired your first SLR. Now what? Here’s a quick guide to getting you started…it’s not as scary as you think.

As Shutter Photo Prepares to take a break for the holidays, we wanted to load you up with stuff to read, do and learn. Here’s some great resources, articles and inspiration to get you through the week.

Several weeks ago, when I had been loaned the incredible Sigma APO Macro 180mm (OS) lens for our review, I got to play around with close-up and macro photography. One of my creations was the photo shown above, Setting of the Second Sun, which may just have been an excuse to play with my son’s LEGO Star Wars figures.  Close-up photography is, to me, almost zen-like.  While it is a an art that requires precision, discipline and a lot of patience, you have absolute control over every aspect of the shot.  The process behind a photograph like this is often misconstrued as something that is entirely thought up in the photographer’s mind and then with a quick setup, you have the shot.  It’s not like that at all, it’s a process.  Using this photograph as an example, I would like to take you through the process behind it’s creation.  In the end, I hope that you will have a better understanding of building a similar shot, and I hope that you garner some wisdom from my process. The Setup You have to start somewhere, so let’s start with a basic setup.  I used a piece of foam core as my ground …

Red eye can quickly ruin an otherwise interesting candid or portrait. But what is it? And how can it be avoided? The answers to both within.

Why is it that everyone spends so much time and effort evaluating a SLR/DSLR camera when the lens is far more important. Don’t believe me? Then why is it that the best lenses available easily cost more than most of the SLR cameras on the market. Let me ask the question a different way.  If a professional photographer had to give up either his lenses or his camera for a lesser model, which do you think he would choose?  He will choose to give up his camera.  Why?  Because any camera that will fit his lenses will still allow him to make beautiful shots.  But the kit lens will be limiting no matter what camera its mounted to. So again I jump on my box and state what I often have stated: When you are buying a camera, you are buying into a system. So when you are considering a camera, consider all of the lenses available for that camera as well.  The interface and feel of one camera means nothing if you dont’ like the lenses available.  And once you drop a few thousand dollars on lenses for your camera, you likely aren’t going to switch brands.  So do …

Histograms – nearly every camera offers them, every bit of photo editing software has them. But are they useful? Possibly more useful than you could imagine. But you must learn how to use them effectively. Read on to learn how to use this great tool to help improve your photography.

I’d like to introduce you to my semi-automated friends, the Priority Brothers. Sure, they’re very focused and finicky about their areas of expertise – almost obsessive compulsive about it. But you will never find a better, more useful team in the world of photography. Read on to learn a little about each brother and how best to use them in your photographic works.

A change of seasons is a good enough reason to brush up on your skills. It’s a great time to analyze your work and find some inspiration for yourself. Maybe you need to be reminded of what and why you do what you do. Well, we’ve written a lot of articles, so we know about those things. Read On to take advantage of our wisdom.

It’s important to have a backup plan. This may include backup devices and other equipment. Redundancy will save face and it will save a lot of frustration that may be worth the added cost of having extra stuff. Read on to learn about some things you may have overlooked.