Photo Workout: Flex Your Photographic Skills Try these five exercises for strengthening your core photo techniques  How do you become a better photographer? You can read articles in magazines like PCPhoto, study books and attend workshops. All of these pursuits will help you learn new and improved techniques for photography. |
Exploring Focal Lengths Changing your focal length can do much more than simply give you a wider or more telephoto shot  How much thought have you given to that lens on your camera? Most lenses today are zooms, and photographers use that zoom to get more or less of a scene, but your lens is capable of a lot more. Understanding lenses will help you better use any lens you own (even if it's the one permanently attached to your camera), as well as buy new ones as you need them. |
Exposure Creativity Six techniques to use motion for exciting photos  Are you sure you want to do this? I holler to my friend Patrick above the thunderous roar of the waterfall. He gives me a thumbs-up and a smile. One mistake, and Patrick is going to get seriously injured—or worse. |
Pro Tips: Turning Pro How a course in photography inspired big changes  A mid-career switch from electrical engineering to photography wasn't exactly what Paul Kline had in mind when he began taking pictures again. But photography is how he makes his living now, with corporate and editorial clients demanding his services, including Random House, The New York Times and Ketchum. |
The Need For Speed Must-know techniques for capturing fast-paced action  My guess is that most of you won't be in a situation where you'll be photographing a subject speeding toward or past you at 220 mph, but that's exactly the challenge for Barry Zeek, who specializes in capturing lightning-fast motor-sports action. You may, however, find yourself photographing fast-moving subjects such as darting birds, dashing animals and running athletes or skiers, high divers, snowboarders, skateboarders and wakeboarders flying through the air. Shooting action can be tricky, but with these tips, there's a much better chance that you'll come home with successful images. |
Ultimate Portraits 10 essential tips to work like a pro when photographing people  No matter what you like to photograph, chances are, at some point you'll find yourself shooting a portrait. Imagine being in the middle of composing that stunning Patagonia landscape image, when a weathered gaucho on his horse gallops up, providing a rare shot of those rugged cowboys. Or maybe you're walking in the French Quarter of New Orleans and a jazz musician on the street gives you a stoic pose. And who hasn't taken a few shots of their family and friends? Knowing the basic principles of creating a strong portrait is a valuable skill for all photographers. |
Making A Connection One well-traveled photographer shares her insights on approaching, composing and lighting memorable portraits, and on learning from the pros  New York-based Dutch photographer Mirjam Evers has traveled and photographed in more than 50 countries, focusing her camera and her eyes on creating environmental portraits and travel, documentary and adventure photographs. She's able to transcend cultural and language barriers with an intangible spirit that comes through in every portrait. |
Painting With Light Use a flashlight and colored gels to keep the photography going after dark  I had 30 seconds left. Running through the pitch-black desert night, I stumbled into a prickly pear cactus, but didn't have time to worry about the quills embedded in my leg. I was in pursuit of a masterpiece! I quickly switched gels, aimed and fired. Twelve seconds left. I practically flattened a tripod leaping behind an old juniper. I had to get one more critical burst in...bang, bang, bang...two seconds left. |
Available Light Portraits Learn to make maximum use of natural light to create exciting outdoor portraits  I just love natural light," remarks photographer David Stoecklein, whose modern yet timeless portfolio of the American West is proof he knows how to wrangle available light. Stoecklein is constantly on shoots in areas that don't always have running electricity. No power usually means no studio lighting—but it isn't only for practical reasons that Stoecklein has become a master at using available light to create stunning portraits. |
Photographing Festivals Tips For Capturing The Fun, Action And Excitement Of Special Events  The action, costumes, colors and performances at festivals, special events and reenactments make them a ton of fun to attend and photograph. Taking snapshots is easy, but if you want to turn your snapshots into great shots, you have to pay careful attention to everything that's going on around you, as well as realize the importance of your camera settings and lens choice. After all, you may get only one chance to photograph the event. |
Effective Flash Five ways to improve your flash photography  I'll be the first to admit, old-school flash photography intimidated me. Just the thought of figuring out guide numbers and flash charts put me in a cold sweat. If I was in a spontaneous shooting situation, say, photographing a colorful market, I just put my flash away and shot using available light. This resulted in a lot of mediocre photographs. |
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