The Gritty Portrait Using hard light and postproduction to re-create a popular “edgy” look  “Can you hang on a little longer?” I ask my friend, Patrick, as he leans off the vertical rock face. “Just a few more shots, and I should have it.” |
Ultimate Sports-Action Tips How to shoot—and think—like a pro sports photographer  In my 20-plus years as a photographer for Sports Illustrated, the first comment most people make when I tell them what I do is, “What a cool job you have!” It seems that everyone’s secret dream career is to be a sports photographer for a major magazine or newspaper. While you may not be shooting the Super Bowl from the sidelines or the NBA Finals from courtside, understanding some of the basics of sports photography can make you a world-class pro amongst friends and family. |
HDR Master high dynamic range imaging to enhance tonal range or create hyperrealistic effects  High dynamic range (HDR) imaging is one of the most exciting and inspiring (and misunderstood and maligned) recent technological developments in digital photography. At its simplest, HDR is nothing more than a series of field and postproduction techniques to increase the overall range of luminance values captured and reproduced in a scene. HDR imaging techniques can eradicate clipping, minimize noise and pull up exceptional detail and color throughout an increased luminance range. Depending on your vision, the HDR process can produce subtle and photorealistic results or extreme surrealistic images that blur the line between “photo” and “graphic.” |
Setting The Stage Environmental portraits tell a story with setting, props and creative light  Environmental portraits—photographs of people in a surrounding that relates to who they are or what they do—have been the staple of newspaper and magazine photographs since the halftone process enabled images to be reproduced in those mediums. Early practitioners such as Yousuf Karsh and Arnold Newman traveled the world, combining their incredible sense of composition and attention to detail with masterful lighting setups. |
Get The Right Light Finding and creating soft, flattering light for portraiture  One general question I’m asked frequently while teaching photo workshops is, “How can I improve my images?” Participants expect to hear answers like, “Try a different lens,” or, “Change the composition.” True, these things may help, but many times I reply, “Try shooting the subject in better light.” |
Once Upon A Time In The West Re-create the look of early photo printing techniques  Howdy, pardner! I’m glad you could join the posse in the search to rustle up new creative imaging ideas. You’re riding with some talented folks. By now you may have guessed that, like many kids who grew up in the 1950s, I have the soul of a cowboy rustling around inside me. |
Polaroid In The Digital Age As a favorite film of many photographers is discontinued, learn how to keep the creative look alive in the digital darkroom  “Due to marketplace conditions, Polaroid has discontinued almost all of its instant analog hardware products. Polaroid has also made the difficult decision to cease manufacturing of instant film products in 2008.” This announcement by Polaroid was an arrow through the hearts of many visual artists around the globe.
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Shooting Indoor Events Tips to make the most of low-light photography  Photographing a stage show basically is an exercise in photographing in a low-light, nonflash situation. I took these photos of a stage performance of the Rising Sun musical and dance troupe in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. You can use the same tips and techniques for photographing any stage performance, even one in your neighborhood, because all of the same principles apply. |
10 Ingredients For Successful Images A digital recipe for smokin’ photos  If you're in the mood to cook up some sumptuous photographs, here's a quick 10-step recipe that I think you'll find appetizing. To illustrate this article, I'll use photographs that I took on a recent trip to Papua New Guinea. While some of you may not get to (or may not want to go to) that exotic destination, the same ingredients can be used to create images that will quench your photographic thirst in any location. Let's dig in! |
Golden Light Photography Use the warm light of the “magic hours” to your advantage  The magic hours—the hours immediately after sunrise and just before sunset—are times of amazing light for photography. The time is brief, but the great thing is that twice a day, every day, there's a generous helping of breathtaking ambient light that's complemented by the dramatic backgrounds and mood of the rising and setting sun. |
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. |
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