While you’re fighting with layer properties in Photoshop, how about listening to a bunch of knowledgeable photographers have a relaxed conversation about some interesting topics?
PhotoNetCast now has 2 podcasts online that are well worth listening to. You can stream them, download them or subscribe through iTunes.
(via the excellent Epic Edits Weblog)
Every Sunday, or most Sundays, I’ll take a look back at a shot that I’m particularly proud of.
Today’s picture comes from the Bruce Trail that runs throughout Ontario. I’ve hiked a small bit of the entire Trail but one area I keep going back to is Limehouse which is about 1/2 hour drive from home.
This portion of the trail winds through an area where old lime kilns dot the countryside. In a couple of places, you cross Black Creek and here we see an arch built over the rushing water. A 1 second exposure softens the flow. I think it shows the power of manual setting control.
(Nikon D80 f/11 1 Second ISO 200 July 21st, 2007)
Those of you who frequent my other site know that I’m a volunteer at the Toronto Aerospace Museum and a full-blown aviation nut.
This morning we had a volunteer’s breakfast to discuss the annual
"Wings and Wheels" festival and meet with the Board of Directors prior to next week’s annual General Meeting. Hey, if they want to buy votes with free food, go for it!
The gathering was held in the main hanger with a beautiful 1943 Stinson V77 Gullwing and the museum’s full scale Avro Arrow providing the backdrop.
The Stinson is on loan and is probably one of the most beautiful aircraft I have ever seen.
Built as an executive transporter, the interior is finished in leather and wood and has been lovingly maintained. Please click on the the thumbnails to see the exquisite detail.
(all pictures taken with Nikon Coolpix 7600 auto sports mode)
I always carry the little Nikon Coolpix 7600 in my backpack for stupid little moments like this. Last night we were at the local hangout having a few beverages with friends but work wouldn’t leave me alone.
Through the magic of WiFi, I was able work on a major project without straying too far away from a cold bottle of Corona.
Having a small point-and-shoot camera close at hand is great for capturing images of importance or of no importance at all. Somehow this just struck me as funny.
Yes, the screen image is blurry but that’s by design. My employer has already given me hell once for blogging and I don’t need any more hassle.
(Nikon Coolpix 7600 f/2.8 1/10 sec. ISO 50 PS – blurring)
I took this shot at last year’s Remembrance Day ceremony in Brampton. You’re always a little tentative about taking pictures during solemn events like this but there are so many opportunities to catch little vignettes of life like this one. A grandfather and grandson sharing a moment of love amongst the memories of bloody wars gone by.
(Nikon D80 f.6 1/100 sec ISO 200 PS – contrast correction and sharpening)
Light tents are great for shooting small objects. They diffuse the light and allow you to get shadows and highlights exactly where you want them. The only problem, store bought tents are not cheap.
(click to view larger at Flickr)
Whoever said “Don’t look back” didn’t think of the photographer. Sometimes you’re walking along thinking about the destination and a glance over your shoulder stops you in your tracks.
I was heading over to the park yesterday morning around 7am and had to walk through this underpass. A dog barked behind me and as I turned I saw the new greenery that I’d just walked by. The darkness of the underpass made the colours pop. The sun had risen enough that its golden light was caught perfectly.
(Nikon D80 f6.3 1/125sec ISO 100 – PS vivid light and linear light layers)
I’ve been fascinated by the magic of photography ever since my father bought me a Pentax K1000 SLR camera back in the early 70’s. Before that, photography was a series of cheesy snapshots that caught a moment in life. They were memories but they were not art.
The very first picture I ever took that really knocked me on my ass was this one.
Just a rolled up snowfence in a park in Mississauga on a very cold day. Snap and it’s done. A week later, I had the pictures back from the lab and I was floored. Here was art. The lens flares that would spoil the shot of Aunt Margaret suddenly brought life to the image. You can tell how bright and cold the day was. The snow is pristine. The snowfence becomes a tunnel.
Today I shoot with a Nikon D80. The move from film to digital was liberating at first. Then I found Photoshop and the hard work really began. Many of the pictures taken in the field are good (and lots are crap – thank the FSM for big digital cards) but they don’t really shine until Photoshop works its magic. I don’t think it’s cheating. It’s the topping on the cake, the final touch.
This companion site to Through The Mist Darkly will be devoted to photography. My own, others, tips and tricks. I hope you like it.
(Pentax K1000 aperture and exposure unknown. Scanned to JPEG in 2007 PS-sharpening)
