Photography Tips

A lot of artists helped me when I was getting started in both Photography and in watercolor painting and today  continue to share their "secrets" they have learned over time.  Some of these "secrets" they were given from other artists that crossed paths in their careers while other they discovered on their own.  Sometimes you pick up these "tricks of the trade" tidbits simply by trial and error.  Sometimes through other sources.  I guess as my Grandfather used to say, "Even a blind pig will find an acorn every once in a while!"  In any case, I owe a lot of people for their gracious sharing and continually try to repay the debt by sharing with other artists who's career paths I cross.   These "secrets" have helped me avoid a lot of mistakes (although I have and continue to make my share) and I hope by sharing, they will save you time and frustration as well.  It is therefore my goal to share some of these "tricks of the trade secrets" with you from time to time.  I am not the best at finding the time to update these pages, put I pledge to do my best.  Email me and let me know how I'm doing from time to time if you find some of the information helpful.

Photography Tip #1: Learn Photography.  Most people learn to be a camera operator while few actually take the time and put forth the effort to actually learn to be a photographer.  While it's necessary to know how to operate your camera and other equipment, you will never really understand the true joy of photography until you take it to the next step.  If your satisfied taking snapshots, that's great! But, your not the one I am speaking to.  But, if you want to produce images that when viewed for the first time make people say "wow" and have to stop for a brief moment to catch their breath, you're the one that will benefit from this information.  These "tips" are for the people that want to learn what it takes to make your photographs different from the "snapshots" that anybody with an index finger and a camera can produce.

Photography Tip #2: "Filters".  Learn how filtration, used properly, over your lens can make an instant and very dramatic impact in your photography.  I will discuss several types of filters in the coming months.  Check back for the latest installment.   

The first filter to be discussed is the polarizer. If you have taken the time to view my work, you have probably surmised that I photograph and paint landscapes.  That said, I shoot outdoors probably 95% of the time. I have all but hot glued a polarizing filter to the front of all of my lenses (please don't actually hot glue anything to your lens - that was just a figure of speech).  If you shoot with zoom lenses, like I do, you will need a "circular polarizer".  For a fixed focal lens, you can get by with a "liner polarizer".  These filters are designed to "polarize" the light entering your lens (the light rays are all going in the same direction instead of bouncing in all directions). The filter works at it's full strength when your lens axis is at a right angle to the sun's axis. Most of these filters are designed to be turned while on the lens in order for you to control the amount of polarization that occurs. As you turn the filter while looking into your view finder, you can actually see the differences in effect (although your view finder will be much darker and you will have to look very hard to see it.)  The end result is that reflections of all sizes and from all sources are diminished or eliminated.  Green leaves on trees will photograph a much richer green with enhanced color saturation (because you eliminated the reflected light which tends to kill the contrast and color saturation).  Another result is that the sky will be much bluer and richer in tone.  These filter aren't cheap.  As a matter of fact, they are probably some of the most expensive filters you can purchase.  They are, however worth every penny and then some if you shoot outdoors.  Part with some of your green and give one a try.  You won't be disappointed.  I have found that cheap ones are really inferior to a name brand polarizer so spend a few extra bucks to get a filter that will perform properly.  Don't cut corners on this one.