February 25, 10 by admin.

Hey Gang:

An image we created last year, has been selected as the main image for the 2010 Feast of the Hunters Moon.

The image depicts a young Frenchman leaning against a tree along the Wabash river. Everything in the image is period correct, although I did have to remove a couple things via Photoshop.

Keep Shootin!!

John

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February 19, 10 by admin.

Hey Gang:

Todays session, at the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships, is a prime example of why we have to manipulate the camera settings and ignore the built in meter.

The lighting at the Purdue Aquatic Center is great for swimming and diving, but lacks the quality and quantity required for photography. Which is why the NCAA allows strobes to be set up at areas of the competition pool. But getting permission to access those strobes requires an act of congress. So available light is the only available option.

To get a proper exposure, using a medium length telephoto lens,  I need a fast shutter speed to stop the action and a minimal depth of field. In order to get the fast shutter speed, I had to go with ISO3200.

Hope this helps you create award winning sports images.

Keep Shootin!!

John

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February 17, 10 by admin.

Hey Gang:

Today we get to interview models and search for the perfect image.

For those of you who wonder what we look for in a great model: poise, beauty, energy, and attitude. Each committee person seems to focus on one area. I tend to lean towards attitude and energy. Beauty and poise and be created on set and in makeup. The others are in the packaging or not.

Have a great day.

Keep Shootin!!

John

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February 16, 10 by admin.

Today I’m scouting shoot locations and meeting with clients. Tonight, I’m giving a talk on Commercial Photography at Purdue University.

Last year I started looking at doing video blogs and pod casts. That effort stalled because of concerns about quality and cost. Well, I’m happy to say the idea is back on the design table.

Let me know your thoughts on subject matter and backdrops.

Keep shootin’

John

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February 2, 10 by admin.

Hey Gang:

Here it is 2010.My promise to our many fans, is to be more engaged with our blog. We’ve archived the previous posts and changed the post dates. This should make it easier for everyone to look at the previous discussions.

This year is going to be more exciting and educational for all of us.

The year started by winning the Travel and Tourism photo contest.

The Addy awards are coming up later this month. We’re hoping our desktop calendar and the National Group aerial calendar come back with awards.

March will find me in Sugarland, TX for the PAPA Conference.

Keep your eyes peeled for seminar dates and more on line lessons. Remember, submit your questions about photography. I’ll be more than happy to give you my opinion.

Keep Shooting 

John 

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February 2, 10 by admin.

Hi Everyone: Welcome to my first blog.This blog will be used to keep you informed of my many adventures. But more importantly, it will be used as an education platform.The lessons will allow you to unleash your creativity, take control of your camera and the situations you encounter and maximize your efficiency behind the camera. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns.Keep shooting!!John

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February 2, 10 by admin.

There are several types of focus systems out there. In the world of Nikon, the camera’s are marked with the letters, “C, S, and M.” The letters stand for Continuous Servo, Servo, and Manual.

Each one performs a special function that adds to your creativity.Continuous servo allows you to track the subject, which is great for sports photography.

Servo, the more basic type, is great for focusing on a subject and, while keeping your finger on the shutter release button, lets you move the camera slightly to change the composition.

Manual is simply you turning the focus ring on the lens. If you do landscape photography, you’ll find it useful to focus on the subject while in servo mode and then change the focusing mode to manual. Doing this allows you to create wonderful images without worrying about vibration or accidental focus changes.

I hope you find this information useful. Let me know if you have any questions. 

John 

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February 2, 10 by admin.

Hey Gang:

Today’s assignment took me to the baseball fields of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, for the Greater Lafayette Easter Egg Hunt.

Capturing the joy and excitement of hundreds of children sprinting after candy was more challenging than expected. I was surrounded by children on all sides, that converged on what seemed one spot, me.

Have a great Easter holiday and remember,

Keep Shooting!!

John 

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February 2, 10 by admin.

Creating an image with the correct exposure is more important today than in the days of film. Back then a lab could pull something out of an area that seemed very dark. Digital does not permit that flexibility.

Metering is done via the matrix mode, center weighted mode, or spot mode. Each one allows different levels of creativity.Matrix mode reads multiple areas and calculates the light levels. Center weighted reads a small area near the center of the view finder. Using this mode is great for shooting outdoor sports.Spot metering reads the light at one specific spot. This is great for subjects that are backliteThe one important fact to remember is that every meter reads light at 18%. In the black and white world, it would be 18% gray.Digital imaging allows us to preview our shots and see the difference each metering mode brings to the image. It doesn’t matter if you shoot a white or black piece of paper. The camera will give you the same final tone: 18% gray.In our next lesson, we will discuss exposure. It will then become a little clearer.Let me know if you have any questions.Keep Shooting !!John 

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February 2, 10 by admin.

Determining the correct exposure for an image is essential to creating images that are award winning and images that convey the emotion and feeling you desire.The correct exposure is a combination of the shutter speed, f/stop (aperture), and ISO.

Exposure = Shutter speed + f/stop + ISO 

 1/8 second + f/5.6 + ISO 640

1/8 second + f/8 + ISO 1000

1/8 second + f/11 + ISO 1600

All of these settings produce the same exposure 

The correct exposure is determined by the lighting situation

and what the subject is doing.

Photographing a basketball game with available light.

Fast shutter speed + low f/stop + higher ISO 

Outdoor portrait on a sunny or over cast day. 

Slower shutter speed + low f/stop + low ISO

When any one of the variables: shutter speed, f/stop, or ISO change, then one other variable must also change.

If you are shooting in a dark environment, but need a fast shutter speed, you must increase your ISO and open the lens aperture to allow more light to hit the sensor.

Beware of changing the ISO. Every camera has its own lowest ISO point. It is this point that will produce the most noise free images. Last year a client came to me with her camera. Frustrated with the way her images were appearing. Upon looking at her images, I noticed that any image she shot outside was beautiful. Yet every indoor or low light situation was very poor. Her camera’s lowest ISO was 50. An ISO that is designed for bright sunlight. Once she increased the ISO, she introduced large amounts of noise.

To sum this all up: let your subject and creativity decide the correct combination. Your camera has a shutter priority mode, aperture priority, and program mode. Play with them until you get comfortable manipulating the variables.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Keep shooting!!

John 

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