Anatomy Of A Photo: Change Things Up

After shooting a particular scene, remind yourself to move on and look at things differently

Brian Matiash

Sony a9 | Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM 1/50 sec. at f/14; ISO 100 October 4, 2017 Grand Teton National Park Whenever I’m leading a workshop, I keep an internal timer while monitoring what my students are up to. For the most part, they do a good job of regulating their time at any given location, but every now and then, they need a gentle reminder... Read more

“Jay Myself” Is An Insightful Film About Photographer Jay Maisel By Stephen Wilkes

A new film explores a master photographer, who left his unique home in New York City after nearly a half-century.

By Amy Touchette

I recently watched Jay Myself, a documentary film about the monumental move of renowned photographer and artist, Jay Maisel, who, in February 2015 after forty-eight years, begrudgingly sold his home—the 35,000 square-foot, 100-year- old landmark building in Manhattan known simply as “The Bank.” Sold for over 50 million dollars, it was the largest... Read more

Tips For Photographing Cuba, Part 2

More tips to help you get the most out of photographing in this amazing country

Brian Matiash

Recently, I shared the first half of my tips for photographing the beauty that Cuba offers. To recap, the first tip had you consider ditching the neck strap to make it easier to maneuver your camera while also helping you blend into your surroundings (and look like less of a tourist). Next, I suggested experimenting with different focal lengths, allowing... Read more

Photographing When It’s Forbidden

When is it okay to lie to get the pictures you want?

By Amy Touchette

In a previous post, we discussed Lewis Hine’s mission and photography. Hine (1874-1940) was a photographer and a sociologist who employed photography as an agent of change. A photograph was a document, an object of proof, that showed people the reality of the social injustices plaguing the world, and he did whatever it took to get the pictures he... Read more

Anatomy Of A Photo: Drone Photography

Adding depth to aerial photos

Brian Matiash

DJI Mavic 2 Pro 1/10 sec. at ƒ/9; ISO 100 December 16, 2018 Oregon If there’s one principle that applies as much in the air as it does on the ground, it’s that layers and a strong foreground are critical, especially when photographing at wide focal lengths. One of the failings that I see most with drone photography is that depth is absent. These... Read more

Lewis Hine: Photographing For Social Reform

Learn how this visionary used photography as a documentary tool in order to effect change

By Amy Touchette

“Glass works. Midnight. Indiana.” by Lewis W. Hine. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, National Child Labor Committee Collection. [LC-DIG-nclc-01151] One of the many remarkable powers of photography is that it can be used to right social injustices. American photographer and social reformer Lewis Hine (September... Read more

Preparing For Portfolio Reviews: Words Of Wisdom From Michael Foley, Part 2

Learn what distinguished gallery owner Michael Foley considers important in a portfolio review

By Amy Touchette

Michael Foley, School of Visual Arts, MPS Digital Photography Critique Class Everyone knows it’s all about who you know. But how do you facilitate meeting people, outside of personal contacts and chance encounters at industry events? The answer is: You attend portfolio reviews. I continued my conversation with Michael Foley, owner of Foley Gallery... Read more

Using A Telephoto Lens To Get A Wide-Angle Shot

Don't discount the ability to get a wide composition simply because you have a long lens mounted on your camera

Brian Matiash

A few evenings ago, I was sitting at my computer when I looked outside and realized that the sunset was going to be especially beautiful. According to Siri, I had about an hour before the sun would set, which meant that I had to be in my Jeep within 5 minutes if I were to have any hope of finding a suitable location to shoot. It also meant that I had... Read more

How to Get Gallery Representation: Words of Wisdom from Michael Foley, Part 1

Learn what this distinguished gallery owner looks for when he considers representing a photographer

By Amy Touchette

“Untitled (Anthurium),” by Martin Klimas Developing a genuine, solid relationship with a gallerist is so elusive. Just how does it go down exactly? As a former participant in his study center, the Exhibition Lab, and a long-time colleague, I looked to Michael Foley, owner of Foley Gallery in New York City, to spell it out: Amy Touchette: What kind... Read more

In Pursuit Of Happiness: On Photographer Saul Leiter

The film “In No Great Hurry” is a wonderful portrait of a pioneer color photographer

By Amy Touchette

Ever wonder what would happen if you let go of pursuing professional acclaim and instead just photographed the beauty in the world? Pioneer color photographer Saul Leiter did just that, spending his life humbled by the world, shunning fame and attention, in search of what made him happy. And—lucky for us—a few short years before his death in 2013,... Read more

Anatomy Of A Photo: Shooting In Low Light

Sony a7R III | Zeiss Batis 2.8/18 1/13 sec. at f/5.6; ISO 1600 December 16, 2017 Tokyo, Japan Back in my early days of shooting with a DSLR camera, I’d cringe at the thought of having to bump up the ISO to compensate for low light environments. The resulting image would be in noise city, Read more…

Brian Matiash

The Cinematic Power Of Little Cameras

This tiny device has a 3-axis gimbal and can record 4K video at 60 fps

Brian Matiash

On one hand, it’s hard to believe all the creative opportunities that photographers and videographers have with today’s devices, especially with ones that can easily fit in your pocket. Admittedly, I’m a bit obsessed with the DJI Osmo Pocket and have been using it for most of 2019 to film little stock snippets and B-Roll clips. The fact that such... Read more

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