It’s Friday and I just ordered a set of 9 color graduated filters from Amazon for $26.59 in 67mm. Cheap, no? Amazingly, the 52mm set is $4 cheaper. Part of me says, “What can you expect from a $3 filter?” But the optimistic little devil sitting on my other shoulder whispers, “How bad can they be?”
Read on to learn whether this buy turned out to be a bargain or a bagel.
Maybe it's cold outside . . . but it's a great time to take pictures!
Winter brings with it some great photo opportunities. In many areas winter means snowy landscapes and snow sports; in others, it's just a somewhat cooler and slightly wetter time of year. Here are some winter-oriented photo tips that should help you add some nice shots to your portfolio, and have some fun doing it.
Here are 10 ways to get your creative juices flowing . . . and some great photos
1. Discover Your Own Backyard
If you put your mind to it, you can find lots of neat photo subjects right in your own backyard. (If you live in an apartment and don't have a formal backyard, don't worry—this assignment is about...
It's back—our annual collection of ideas to keep you and your camera happily occupied for hours.
1. Don't Go Anywhere Without It!
It's a photographic truism that you can't get the picture if you don't have a camera. How many times have you missed out on a great shot—or at least, a nice record of something...
Low-light photography can yield some amazingly striking and unusual images. But it also presents a problem. You need a fast enough shutter speed to prevent camera-shake-induced image blurring, and sometimes to "freeze" a moving subject. You often need to shoot at a small enough aperture to provide adequate depth of field. You want to use the...
Winter is one of the most beautiful times of year, providing everything from sunny-clear to blizzards for the phtoographer to capture on film or memory card. Here are 10 ideas for you to try this winter.
1. A Touch of Color
Winter snow can be a beautiful photo subject, but a photo of just snow can be pretty dull. You...
Experienced photographers appreciate the value of filters, the kind that go in front of the lens. Screw-in filters alter the characteristics of light before it reaches the image sensor—something not even Photoshop can do. Here are three I recommend for autumn leaf colors and all fall festivities.
Ask a group of photo enthusiasts what they have done recently to improve the quality of their images, and many will likely respond by describing the purchase of some fancy new piece of gear. Others may discuss the technical mastery of a new technique, while a few may credit a visit to an art gallery or museum for their newfound inspiration.
In fact, great photographs are rarely the result of...
When it’s cold outside, our bodies know it. If you’re like me, the agony travels from your fingers to your toes and from your ears to your nose. In that order. Warm boots, hats and earmuffs are not obstacles to creativity, but how can you use a camera with gloves on? To find out, read on…
Traveling by car, camper, camel caravan or even backpacking it on foot – you need these five important accessories. (And if you’re just hanging around the house like I am, put these accessories on the must-have list right up there with the automatic wine bottle opener and TV remote.)
If you're shooting landscape photos, one of the first things you want to ensure is that they're in focus. Even better is if you can nail "perfect focus" in your landscape shots.
Photography is all about light. But wherever there's light, there are shadows lurking nearby. And therein lie some great photo ops.
Exposing Shadows
Contrasty shadow scenes can fool reflected light meters, such as those built into cameras. A spot meter enables you to meter the most important highlight area, and determine an exposure that will give...
Here are seven more ideas for some great shots this summer
1. Magic Moments
It's not just a summer thing, because a photographer should always be on the lookout for those intriguing sights of life being lived, but summer seems to produce more of them. Put your camera in full-auto mode, stay alert, and fire away when you come across something neat, be it people at work or...
Back in our July 1998 issue, we gave you seven hot tips for great summer photos. As summer approaches this year, we present you with seven more hot summer photo tips.
1. Bug Somebody!
Summer bugs can be annoying. But they can also make great photo subjects—challenging, and rewarding. Because insects are on the smallish side, you'll probably need some type of close-up...
Back in 1998 (July issue), we brought you "7 Hot Summer Tips." In 2000 (June issue), we brought you seven more in "7 Hot Summer Tips II." Now, to keep the biennial string going in 2002, we bring you "7 Hot Summer Tips III."
Summer is a fine time for photography. Days are long and evenings are warm, providing many hours of good light and comfortable...