Still movement

The rushing waters of McGee Creek in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Last time we talked about using your camera in manual mode and the relationship between aperture and shutter speed. Reiterating — aperture controls depth of field and shutter speed is important for stopping movement — or not stopping it. Sometimes you want to freeze the action — a kid kicking a soccer ball, the tight [...]

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Movin’ on up (to a digital SLR)

hawk

You love your point & shoot digital camera but now you yearn for something more. A camera that offers more versatility and interchangeable lenses. A camera that lets you get closer to wildlife than the zoom on your small digital. Perhaps you want to shoot birds — with a camera, not a gun. Be forewarned, [...]

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Faster shutters for fast wings

2990_hummingbird_1_500_full

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to take a workshop with noted bird photographer Bob Steele during the Kern River Preserve’s Hummingbird Festival. The Weldon location is one of the premier birding areas in the country and I wanted to learn how to photograph hummingbirds. Remember how we talked about long lenses and [...]

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Why, oh why? Some questions answered.

7219_toni seeger grave_soft

Today we are going to address some questions from a friend in Bakersfield. Thanks Linda! Q: Why does it take so long for my camera to fire when I push the button? A: Digital cameras have a nasty little problem with slow shutter release times. From the time you “push the button” until the shutter [...]

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RAW means raw

Mono Lake

We haven’t had any photo questions these past few weeks and without questions I have run out of ideas for Shutterbug 101. But from one of my other desert forums came the question, “What is RAW data and why do you like it.” Basically RAW means exactly that, it is the unadulterated, unprocessed image data [...]

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Say hey with photos of your pet

SPOT THE WONDERDOG: Ah mom, these sunglasses are way uncool.

As we get close to the Holiday season, you may be tempted to photograph your pet for your annual greeting cards. Photographing one’s pet can be a challenging and sometimes exasperating event. But by following a few steps you can avoid most of the exasperation and just have fun. Your pet will pick up on [...]

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Eye of the beholder

Evidence of the Seqouia National Forest’s 2000 Manter Fire can still be seen today. Using a LensBaby in this image increased the sense of mystery and desolation.

So many times people say “I don’t know what to shoot.” You never know what will catch your eye so you just have to get out there and be open to possibilities. Galen Rowell said once “I almost never set out to photograph a landscape, nor do I think of my camera as a means [...]

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Picture Perfect Vacations

The refelections in the still water of Mono Lake add an extra dimension to this scenic shot. When you have water, look for reflections for your photos. By Lara Hartley

It’s the height of summer! And what does that mean? Summer vacations of course. You have planned the perfect vacation –  to the mountains, the beach or even a foreign country. Your bags are packed, the car is stuffed with kids and toys and you are ready to go. Wait, do you have your camera? [...]

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Windows to the soul

This image is NOT a good portrait, it is a mug shot. If I were to ask, “what is wrong with this picture?” — the correct answer would be, “everything!” There is a tree growing out of his head, he is squinting in the harsh light, the background is distracting, etc.

Good portraits are one of the hardest photographic skills to come close to mastering. Notice I didn’t say “master” because I am not sure anyone ever masters the art of photography as it is a lifelong learning process. There is a huge difference between a snapshot and a candid portrait. Today we are going to [...]

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Five good reasons to make the switch from film to digital photography

diving-in-digital-pool

Welcome to Shutterbug 101. This is our first in a series of tutorials on how to make better photographs. We are here assuming you want to go beyond a typical snapshot. Or maybe you want to figure out how to make your camera do more than just “auto.” If so, then stay tuned, because we [...]

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