I haven’t done one of these posts in a while, but this week I stumbled across some incredible work by Norwegian photographer Terje Sorgjerd. This movie (and there are a couple others like it on his Vimeo page) is worth sharing and speaks for itself. Enjoy.
"Seize the Day" and keep your day job too? © Touchstone Pictures
Photography is an amazing medium, and the advent of digital technology has made it accessible to many millions of people who didn’t involve themselves with it in the past. A sure sign of photography’s popularity is the ocean of photography blogs and twitter accounts out there, many extolling the virtues of “living passionately” and seeking your niche in the photographic universe.
There are many blog posts encouraging people to pursue photography or other creative endeavors, simply because we love said endeavor or the idea of it. We’re sometimes told we should stop what we’re doing, make plans and get out there and start doing it – today. Maybe even “sell our stuff and move out,” if we’re really dedicated to the cause!
It sounds great on the face of it and it’s hard to disagree with the general principle behind many of these posts; life is short and we need to make things happen rather than waiting for a perfect moment to start. Carpe Diem, right? But there’s also some unbridled optimism (maybe naivete in some cases) that is at work here, that we don’t talk much about.
That’s what this post is for: the reality check. Don’t worry; I’m not out to kill anyone’s photography buzz. It goes without saying that everyone should own a decent camera and take the time to use it when they can, to express something about their world. But that’s a far cry from the “career advice ” we sometimes get from professional photographers… .
I spent this morning contemplating different aspects of my career, including photography. (The power was out and I was once again reminded how different all of our lives and careers would be without it, but it provided a great opportunity for quiet and reflection.) After 5 or 6 hours, the power returned and I jumped online, stumbling across this article, which was tweeted by Sabrina Henry (someone you should follow), over at Craft & Vision.
The article is definitely worth a read. It’s a rough translation from an old Czech photographic society, many decades old, but this quote caught my eye and really made me think:
Art arose from the desire of the artist to tell about himself. After all, even when artist speaks about his surroundings, or events that he witnessed, he in fact tells us about himself, about things seen through his own eyes. And magnificent art, which survived its creators, was created by the artist’s ability to see things so originally and so deeply, as nobody saw ever before him.
If a person does not want to talk about himself, he is silent. But if a person is not silent, if he picks up a camera and tries to use photography as an art form because he feels that its means of expression fit him the most of all other forms of art, such person should not be afraid to create his own artistic statement… .
Nothing more than a digital hammer. It doesn't have a heart or an opinion.
The author was trying to ascertain why, despite the best intentions of the society members who were anxious to contribute at that time, many of their photos were poor or uninteresting. And in short, the answer is, the photographs didn’t say anything about the photographer. They were just recreations of the world, in a very academic perspective, or copying the perspective of other well known photographers. This ties in directly to a recent quote from Guy Tal (about your own mind and heart being your greatest differentiator — not your gear, location or timing)… Continue reading »
Photomatix Pro 4
HDR or High Dynamic Range imaging is a relatively new workflow in digital photography, designed to compensate for our modern cameras’ inability to capture the full range of tones in a scene (in a single exposure). Another way to put that is, the camera rarely captures everything that we perceive, in terms of tonal details that span from the very brightest to the very darkest areas. Essentially HDR is a “workaround” for this limitation; we can shoot a series of bracketed exposures with our camera (using a tripod and unchanging aperture and focus point), and then “merge” those exposures together with special software tools.
There are several good HDR software programs on the market, including a built-in HDR function inside of Photoshop CS5 (learn more in my book). But the one I’d like to focus on today is Photomatix from HDRSoft. There are two versions available, Photomatix Light 2.0 (which is a simpler version, demonstrated in one of my recent articles), and Photomatix Pro 4, which is the comprehensive version reviewed in this article. Continue reading »
Lightroom is a great tool for styling an image to match the scene. © Dan Moughamian, 2011
We’ve all encountered situations where we are forced to photograph in overcast light or other suboptimal environments, due to time restrictions on location. Afterward we often discover we like the subject matter or composition, but the light throws us.
However that’s not always a good reason to delete those shots! Hang on to the best ones and see if you can use Lightroom’s excellent raw editing tools to tweak the focus, contrast and colors in a way that accentuates the scene, rather than attempt to manufacture what wasn’t there. My recent article at Lightroom Secrets shows you the way!
Books are an investment that every serious creative professional should add to their studio or office. It boils down to this: no matter what you do -photography, web design, app development, marketing- someone has already done the things you’re trying to accomplish and done them well. You can either learn from their mistakes and advice to improve your own chances of success (or your efficiency), or you can try to operate in a vacuum and learn everything yourself. Here is a list of seven books that have helped me to understand the medium of photography better than I could have by myself.
1. Professional Business Practices in Photography, 7e (ASMP) – most recently revised in 2008, this guide has more useful bits of advice and information for serious photographers than any other single book, blog or venue that I know. The first two chapters, which focus on licensing and copyright, are worth the price of admission by themselves. This book was written and compiled by several professional photographers and editors (even attorneys), each a recognized expert in their field. If you want to run a successful photography business, you need this book.
2. Earth from Above (Arthus-Bertrand) – some of the most beautiful photographs I’ve ever seen, and certainly the best aerial photos. This book will not only provide enjoyment looking at the images, but it will change your perspective of the planet you are standing on right now. It is big, heavy, and worth every penny. You owe this to your coffee table, if you have one. ;-)
3. The Photographer’s Eye (Michael Freeman) – If you want a visual guide to the art of photographic composition that is both thorough and easy to page through and absorb, and which has plenty of great example shots illustrating each concept, I can’t think of a better book.
4. Seeing Landscapes (Charlie Waite) – This book is a little long in the tooth by modern, “everything has to be from yesterday or its outdated” standards (see also: the standard by which many things on the internet are judged), but it is as valid and useful today as it was the day it came out. This book uses easy to understand language and contains some really interesting and original landscape shots. Great use of color and format.
5. The Digital Photography Book(s), Vol 1. & 2 (Kelby) – written by a man who certainly doesn’t require any introduction in the world of digital photography, I liken these two books to compact and simple “field guides” that you can stuff in your laptop bag or camera case and keep on hand for any situation you might encounter. The books are mile wide, inch deep (no one topic covered in detail) but sometimes that’s all you need to get the shot!
6. Photo Synthesis (Jerry Uelsmann) – Was a master photographic compositor before there was such a thing as Photoshop. This guy proves that it’s all about vision; the tools are secondary to making interesting art. Every time I look through this book I’m reminded how much I still have to learn. The print quality of this book and the quality of his black and white images are staggering.
7. Life (Frans Lanting) – just as Arthus-Bertrand’s photography gives you a different understanding of your planet from the air, this book will do the same only from a ground-level perspective. Literally! If ever there was someone who exemplified the nature photography motto of “get down in the trenches”, Frans Lanting is the guy. Another giant book that will give your coffee table a back ache and your guests and big smile.
8. The Invisible Universe (David Malin) – one of the very finest (if awkwardly large) astro-photography books you will ever find. Yet another amazing perspective on our place in the cosmos. Photographed and composited (in some cases where multiple plates were used) by one of the world’s foremost astro-photographers, if the universe and stars fascinate you, you want this book on your shelf (just be prepared to make a little extra room for it!). :-)
© Dan Moughamian, 2011
It’s not that often that we get a truly inspiring story along with beautiful artwork, but this week we can enjoy both thanks to a short documentary by Sam Collins, about a corporate sales worker turned light painter, Denis Smith. Like a lot of people, Denis found himself in an unhappy and difficult place working the corporate sales ladder, striving for ever-more-pointless levels of wealth and material possession. And it all came crumbling down when the Great Recession hit in 2008. After struggling with alcohol and even depression, and almost losing his wife, Denis pulled himself up out of the corporate hole he was in, and discovered a completely new life. The result is some amazing photographic art, and something truly inspiring.
Earlier this month was the first time one of my feature articles was published in Photoshop User Magazine; it was quite an honor! This Photoshop article focuses on what many of us are facing right now: a transition in weather and environment from winter to spring, and how we can get the most from our cameras in less-than-ideal lighting and color conditions.Also included are tips for processing raw images in Lightroom and ACR, and a quick path to using Merge to HDR Pro as a way to preserve very subtle details like those found in snow scenes. Many thanks to NAPP for this great opportunity; it was an honor and I hope to work with them again this year to bring you guys more articles and tips.
NOTE: The PDF may take a few extra seconds to load so that you can view it inline. Note also that the images have been compressed for the web. Thanks for your patience!
Recently I had the opportunity to get an advance look at the new eBook for photographers, Making the Image by Dan Bailey. This is a PDF eBook, so it is compatible with virtually all personal computers, as well as many tablets and cell phones. At 50 pages, the book carries a substantial number of useful pointers for photographers of all skill levels, without bogging the reader down in a lot of minutia, theory or fluff.
Every page has a technique or idea to think about when evaluating your own photography, and more importantly, when you’re out there shooting your next “assignment”. The book is divided into several succinct chapters, which include the following topics: Light, Color, Focus, Balance, Empty Space, Relationships, Simplicity, Moment, Viewpoint, Details, Decisions, and Creation. Continue reading »
This is a great slow motion piece that I found recently on Vimeo. Conceptually it’s not new (high-speed camera gurus have been photographing splashing water, exploding liquids and things of this nature for a long time), but the idea of using paints and a dark background has a certain simplicity and artistic appeal I really like. Check it out and see what you think! This piece was photographed by Johann Cohrs and Siggi Kuckstein, and edited by Michael Koch and Michael Lübben. Even the music is perfect accompaniment.
Recently I’ve taken an interest in eBooks (or electronic books for those who have been living under a rock) as a publishing platform and a means of educating myself and my readers, on a range of topics. Electronic books come in several formats, including three you’ve probably heard of: PDF, ePub (used by iPad), and Kindle. As part of my investigations I learned that fellow photographer Dan Bailey is publishing his second eBook soon. I’ll be bringing you a look at that as well.
This segment takes a brief look at Dan’s first venture into the world of electronic publishing, How to Become a Pro Photographer (PDF version), aimed at people just starting out, who are considering a career in photography. The beauty of PDF is that it typically works on wide range of reading platforms, from your everyday Mac or PC, to iPads, to smart phones. This book uses simple headers to block off important topics and weighs in at 27 pages. Throughout the book Dan discusses several important topics that you need to consider before becoming a photographer, and each page uses one of Dan’s adventure photos as an inspiring backdrop. Continue reading »
SnowHouse ©Dan Moughamian
First and foremost: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I want to thank all of you for your support this year; there are countless Photoshop and photography sites that you can visit so I appreciate every minute you spend here!
I thought I’d wrap up this year talking about the business of photography, rather than Photoshop or Lightroom.
Anyone who jumps into photography as a profession finds out quickly that there are a series of barriers -just as with any other business- that can throw a wrench into the best laid plans. Over the next several weeks I’ll take a look at a few of the more common ones, even enlisting the help of other shooters to share what they’ve learned on their journey. One of the great things about the photographic community is the willingness to share insight and information.
When it comes to barriers, there are a few “biggies” that loom over all others. Today I’ll take a look at the one that probably affects the largest number of aspiring photographers: limited access (or no access) to many of the amazing locations we’ve seen photographed by people like Trey Ratcliff, Matt Brandon, and others. Continue reading »
If you’ve followed my tutorials and twitter postings at all, you know I’m a big fan of Vimeo. Free accounts, high quality compression, good sharing options, and for the most part those features are free to all. That said, the best thing about Vimeo is that it is a focused medium. Think YouTube for digital artists but without the signal:noise problem. One of the more interesting artists I’ve discovered on Vimeo is photographer (both video and still) Bill Newsinger from Leicester, UK.
Bill is a guy who routinely posts interesting photo montages, videos, time-lapse and other works that give you a real look into his world. He also composes many of his own soundtracks, which I think adds another dimension to his work.
Colortrails: One of the things that strikes me about your work is the way you capture little details in a way that makes the video and photography. Have you always had an eye for the “hidden” details or did it take time to develop that? What is it about those things that motivates you to film and photograph them?
Bill Newsinger: My photography and videography have developed out of an interest in art. I see a real connection between traditional painting and drawing, to the more recent art forms of videography and photography and I am always attempting to remember this when I’m standing in a field in the rain in Leicestershire with a camera round my neck!
I was very influenced by the work of Karen Abad and Charlie McCarthy when I first started video blogging…..they seemed to be able to add some intangible magic to their images, allowing the camera to hang on events and details that could suddenly mesmerize the viewer. I have learned that you have to look very VERY hard before you shoot. Looking is everything….and the more you do it, the quicker and better you get at it.
One of the great things about social media is it connects you with people who are passionate about the same stuff you are passionate about. On Twitter I follow several photographers, each with their own approach to finding and photographing the things that matter to them. This is expected. We all experience the world in different ways, and environment dictates a lot of what we do.
The thing is, being surrounded with digital tools and workflows, we tend to trap ourselves in a world of process. Camera workflows, finding inspiration, using your vision, raw workflows and retouching (the stuff that I teach for a living), etc. There’s no shortage of advice out there on “the way to do _____”. I wonder sometimes, because of how frequently we focus on process, if we are not putting ourselves in the best state of mind to pick up a camera and make compelling photographs. Continue reading »
Something a little different this week. Sometimes it’s as much about the journey and what you learn from it, as it is the final art. This documentary of a photo-expedition in the Himalayas is both inspiring and a little bit of a wake up call for most of us. Takes real commitment and a fearless attitude to leave the world behind and go do something like this because you can and because you want to. This was put together by Renan Ozturk, Camp 4 Collective, Cory Richards and others. Enjoy.
Just caught this on Vimeo today. No words are necessary.
The Dark Side of the Lens (Astray Films / Mickey Smith)
Time again for another installment of “really cool stuff I found on the web”.
I Was fortunate recently to stumble across a link to Bill Newsinger’s Vimeo site, which is loaded with amazing photographic works. Time-lapse, day-in-the-life, still-life, you name it. Bill apparently does a lot of his own music as well, which is doubly impressive to me when people have the talent to make that work. Much easier said than done, even if you have an ear for music.
Two of his “compositions” that impressed me most (and I’ve only watched about 5 of over 170 titles) are below. Hope you enjoy them as much as I have. A real thank you to Bill and others like him. It’s art like this that inspires us get out from behind our LCDs and go photograph stuff more, worry about technology and gear less!
Night Walk (Bill Newsinger)
Still Life (Bill Newsinger)
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3
Good news; Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 is finally “in the house”, finished and ready to roll. Many people have already given Lightroom 3 a look in the public betas but there’s a lot going on in this update. Here are a few of the biggest plusses in my book:
• Incredible Luminance Noise Reduction – it still amazes me, even after testing the product for many months, how easy it is to breathe new life into old photos with this tool. You can clean up so much of the noise while leaving details intact (and which can be enhanced as well with improved capture sharpening) that it really changes the whole NR / sharpening workflow for me. Cuts out extra steps.
• Improved Import – the new import dialog is fantastic. Gets the pictures into my catalog quickly, the way I want them set up. The only missing thing here is a Favorites option for the Drive / Folders list but hopefully that will be available down the road in a future update.
• Lens Correction – like the Photoshop and ACR versions there are still some kinks to be worked out here but the idea that Lightroom can auto-detect which lens was used and if a profile exists, correct for geometric or CA problems on the fly, is great news. Especially for a lot of wide-angle architectural shots.
I will post more information on Lightroom as the week moves on, to tell you about my upcoming book and training video! Thanks for dropping in, as always. -Dan
There’s no denying that the Iceland Volcano which has been erupting and spreading a cloud of airliner-unfriendly ash over Europe, has caused some serious headaches for travelers of all stripes across the continent. However there’s also no denying the inherent beauty and sense of power that comes with volcanic eruptions on Iceland. Because of its unique geography and history, even Hawaii can’t quite match some of the pictures and videos we’ve seen.
Yahoo Editorial has put together a Flikr Gallery of some of their favorite shots.
Here is a collection of incredible lightning-in-cloud shots from National Geographic.
Iceland Volcano Pictures: Lightning Adds Flash to Ash.
And below I’ve also included a video link from photographer and videographer Bryce Lowry.
I am posting this for no other reason than a recent twitter post reminded me of it, and some of the photography and video is amazing. This is Mike Parsons surfing some of the largest waves ever recorded, off the Cortes Bank, about 100 miles off the coast of San Diego. A huge underwater sea mount causes the swells to rise up and create monster waves. By far the coolest surf video I’ve ever seen.
This video gives an excellent explanation from Parsons and another surf / ocean expert, of how the swells are created and what it’s like to surf there. Seriously extreme environment.
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