Picture This

Our Picture This! assignment this month was High Contrast, in camera or in the darkroom (including digital). We received an overwhelming response from readers who used special effects on a wide range of subject matter. We were excited to see that this venerable form of expression has gotten new life thanks to digital techniques, and while quite a few of the images were first...

Whether it's adding light to shadows to create a good balance of tones, or brightening color on overcast days, fill flash provides an extra burst of light that can do the job. Close-up fill can be done with the built-in flash that comes with many cameras, or auxiliary flash that mounts on the camera's hot shoe. In either case, fill can be modified using the power...

Our Picture This! assignment this month was "It's What's Up Front That Counts," the implication being that the lens, lens attachments, and of course where the lens is pointed has a profound influence upon any image. Although you could crop into an image made with a 24mm lens to gain the same perspective as one shot with a 50mm, there's the context of...

Our Picture This! assignment this month was "Grab Shots," those pictures that show up when you might least expect them, and that almost force you to grab the shot. Ready-to-shoot, fully automatic exposure and focus cameras make spontaneous picture taking easy--what's not always simple to figure out is why the picture picks you to take it. Readers sent in a...

This month's Picture This! call was for "Colorful Carnivals" and readers responded with a wide range of shots from the midway. In many of the pictures you can almost hear the delighted screams of those on the rides and the barkers calling to the crowd to try their luck. Many of the shots were made at night, the time and light being the most complimentary to the...

This month's Picture This! assignment is "Regards to New Orleans," and readers responded with images that show why we should all continue to keep the pressure on to rebuild this most unique of American cities. Think how the home countries would respond should Venice, Paris, or any of the great cities of the world be subject to the tragedy that is New Orleans. As...

Our Picture This! assignment for this month was "Wavin' Old Glory," and readers responded with a host of images that speak to the profound connection we all have with this powerful symbol. Many of the images spoke to the sacrifices of our men and women who have served in defense of our country, something that cannot but remind us of our brave troops serving...