What to do when your hard drive crashes and you think you’ve lost all your photos
Just last week, I had an experience that I knew was bound to happen eventually (even though I always secretly hoped it never would). My hard drive failed. I was searching for an archived photo on an external disk, and in midsearch, the computer locked up and I had to reboot. I don't know which came first-the crash or the drive failure-but it didn't really matter: my disk was no longer readable.
Use custom white balance settings to add a colorful twist to otherwise bland shots
Some days I feel blue. Downtrodden and depressed, I can make myself feel a little better by making my photos blue, too. Or red if I'm angry. Or any other color to match any other mood I'm in. So many times we think about camera white-balance features just for making our photographs neutral or "correct"-appropriately matched to the color temperature of the light source we're shooting under.
When you’re choosing your next tripod, don’t overlook this insanely great feature
If I ever had a three-legged dog, I would obviously name him "Tripod." But I don't. Instead I've named my tripod "Three-Legged Dog." TLD and I have been through a lot together, and I've always been able to count on him for a rock-solid foundation. But TLD's best attribute is in his head. Not your everyday tripod head; this one's got gears.
Find and sort photos faster and easier when you're smart about your file names
Ah yes, my favorite photo I've ever taken? Certainly IMG_5264.jpg. Or was it IMG_6542? Well I'll just search for it here on my computer⦠Only several thousand matches of photo files with similar names. Hmm. Maybe I should name my files something that will make them easier to organize and find later.
Add mystery and drama to your portfolio when you learn the art of the silhouette
The explanation for making a silhouette is simple: put your subject in front of a light source and expose for the light source, making the subject underexposed and black, leaving only its graphic outline. But to do this effectively takes a little more practice.
The biggest problem with new cameras is that they don't stay new for long. Thankfully many accessory-makers recognize the importance of pretty new things so photographers can choose from all varieties of bags, pouches and other camera coverings to keep their purchases protected.
I can think of a handful of Eureka moments in my life, but one of the most significant was the day in college when I finally understood how to control ambient and strobe exposures independently within the same shot.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, right? Like when we were all shooting film and couldn't wait to have all the high-tech, high-speed improvements that were bound to come with all the digital technologies on the horizon.
I shoot with studio strobes a lot, even when I'm on location. The problem is that I'm always searching for an outlet to power them. I've long dreamed of investing in a rechargeable battery pack, but the steep price of great units from many strobe manufacturers has always kept me from taking the plunge.
One of the most flattering light sources you can use for a portrait subject is a large, even illumination. The wraparound shadows are softer and less harsh, making blemishes and wrinkles disappear.
I made a tough decision this year: I sold the 35mm film camera system that has seen me through years of shooting. I also parted with some medium-format gear and a few other things that had collected inches of dust.
