I have some links I've been meaning to give you, so I think I'll just give them all to you at once. Most are photography related, some . . . not.
Thanks to Evan for sending me this photo of the cutest still life I've ever seen.
Like Abstract Photography? The Photo Argus has a great collection of 40 Abstract images. Worth checking out.
Need something to remind you of some basic photo guidelines during a shoot? Gavin Gough has an interesting looking photo card over on his blog. Probably worth printing out and bringing into the field with you.
Feeling a little burnt out from the holidays? Shutter Sisters has a list of 10 Holiday Pick Me Ups. Although, unless you have very steady hands, I'm not sure I recommend cutting your own bangs.
News of a Flickr plugin for Lightroom over at Canon Blogger. Think I'm going to check it out.
And, in honor of my recent return to San Francisco, Pictory (an interesting new online photo mag that showcases photos which have a story to tell) has created a new feature on SF. Just kidding. But I am going to pretend they did it for me.
And last but not least, check out these edible Santas. I want to make them, but I think they'd get eaten in five seconds around here, and I might not be able to take it.
All right, that's it for now. Hope you're having a great weekend!
Getting Rid of Clutter in Your Photos
Before
(Please, ignore the fact that my Before photo isn't really in focus. It was getting dark. Thanks!)
After
Sometimes the little things can make a big difference. For example, this leaf. I spied it on a street in Berkeley, one lone yellow leaf among lots of red leaves. Reflexively, I took a picture.
But my yellow leaf was getting lost among the clutter. So I sat down, on the street (fortunately no one else was really around to wonder why, but if they'd been there, I would probably have done the same thing) and pushed all the red leaves out of the frame. A little extra contrast to darken the background, and a bump up in saturation in Lightroom, and my yellow leaf kind of pops.
So next time you're taking a picture, try to get rid of the clutter. Either frame so you can't see it, or actually get in there and move it out of the way. I promise, it makes a world of difference.
(Please, ignore the fact that my Before photo isn't really in focus. It was getting dark. Thanks!)After
Sometimes the little things can make a big difference. For example, this leaf. I spied it on a street in Berkeley, one lone yellow leaf among lots of red leaves. Reflexively, I took a picture.But my yellow leaf was getting lost among the clutter. So I sat down, on the street (fortunately no one else was really around to wonder why, but if they'd been there, I would probably have done the same thing) and pushed all the red leaves out of the frame. A little extra contrast to darken the background, and a bump up in saturation in Lightroom, and my yellow leaf kind of pops.
So next time you're taking a picture, try to get rid of the clutter. Either frame so you can't see it, or actually get in there and move it out of the way. I promise, it makes a world of difference.
Hammer
We've started demolition on some parts of our new apartment. It's kind of amazing how fast it goes, when you think how much time went into creating it all.
Anyway, there's some saying about how when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I think 'they' are right on the money with that one.
Wish List
Christmas is around the corner. With that in mind, I thought I'd share with you a few of the things I've been lusting after. Most of these are under the $50 mark, but not all of them. Sorry. Wishes are free. Fulfilling them isn't always.
Any book by David duChemin. Don't worry, there are only two. I haven't read either one, but I really want to. Within the Frame (about $26 from Amazon), his first book, talks about the process of composing images, and shooting thoughtfully. What should be included in the frame, and what should be left out? How do you find your own photographic vision? I think almost any photographer thinks about this, no matter how long they've been shooting.
VisionMongers, also $27 from Amazon, his second, profiles some professional photographers who have successfully marketed and stayed true to their vision. Zach Arias, Chase Jarvis, Gavin Gough . . . you can't go wrong.
Commercial Photography Handbook: Business Techniques for Professional Digital Photographers by Kirk Tuck ($23 from Amazon). This looks to be a practical and fairly thorough resource for anyone looking to get into the photography business, or maybe someone who's just starting out.
The new fisheye optic from Lensbaby. $149. Lensbaby is not only about the blur now, and I have a feeling that this optic would fit into my Composer perfectly!
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens $989 from Amazon. A little spendy (or A LOT!) but I would just love to be able to walk around town at night and capture some street shots that are not at 50mm and f/1.8. Hey, this is a wish list, right? Nothing wrong with a little wishing.
And, last but not least, almost anything from Photojojo. Most of their products I find a tad overpriced, but they are also brilliant. I have been salivating over the Super Secret Spy Lens ($50-$55) for ages, and the magnetic photo rope ($12) would work well in my new open-space-challenged apartment, perfect for showing off all those prints that I can't afford frames for.
Anyway, the holidays shouldn't just be about shopping. But if you absolutely must shop for a friend who's caught the photography bug, you might just want to spring for one of these.
Any book by David duChemin. Don't worry, there are only two. I haven't read either one, but I really want to. Within the Frame (about $26 from Amazon), his first book, talks about the process of composing images, and shooting thoughtfully. What should be included in the frame, and what should be left out? How do you find your own photographic vision? I think almost any photographer thinks about this, no matter how long they've been shooting.
VisionMongers, also $27 from Amazon, his second, profiles some professional photographers who have successfully marketed and stayed true to their vision. Zach Arias, Chase Jarvis, Gavin Gough . . . you can't go wrong.
Commercial Photography Handbook: Business Techniques for Professional Digital Photographers by Kirk Tuck ($23 from Amazon). This looks to be a practical and fairly thorough resource for anyone looking to get into the photography business, or maybe someone who's just starting out.
The new fisheye optic from Lensbaby. $149. Lensbaby is not only about the blur now, and I have a feeling that this optic would fit into my Composer perfectly!
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens $989 from Amazon. A little spendy (or A LOT!) but I would just love to be able to walk around town at night and capture some street shots that are not at 50mm and f/1.8. Hey, this is a wish list, right? Nothing wrong with a little wishing.
And, last but not least, almost anything from Photojojo. Most of their products I find a tad overpriced, but they are also brilliant. I have been salivating over the Super Secret Spy Lens ($50-$55) for ages, and the magnetic photo rope ($12) would work well in my new open-space-challenged apartment, perfect for showing off all those prints that I can't afford frames for.
Anyway, the holidays shouldn't just be about shopping. But if you absolutely must shop for a friend who's caught the photography bug, you might just want to spring for one of these.
Hue, Vietnam
I never got to post any photos from Hue, because they just stayed on my memory cards too long in Vietnam.
For this photo I waited about 5 minutes for the right woman on a bicycle to ride by and complete the shot. Evan was very patient.
Also, totally unrelated, a photographer named Joey L has come out with a hilarious (and kind of catchy) song about a relationship between a Canon guy and a Nikon lady. I recommend it, unless you don't like rap or are easily offended by innuendo. Here's the link.
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