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Posts Tagged ‘landscape’

Personal, Photography | 0 comment

Photo Editing Catchup

Today is a big catchup day in the studio. I have a couple of neat shoots that I have covered recently that I have not yet posted about on the blog. There are more shoots scheduled for this month, some dance related, some events, and some portraits. I am really excited about trying to make more photos for clients. Hopefully more blog readers and other visitors will ask me to help them with their photo projects. I am ready to take on the challenge!

HDR Image of Smithsonian Castle - ©TimeLine Media
HDR Image of Smithsonian Castle – ©TimeLine Media

Washington, DC

Speaking of challenges, every photo shoot has them. Before every shoot that I do, I am anxious about how I am approaching the task at hand. I no longer worry about whether or not I have the equipment. My gear is no longer a limiting factor. With all the different events and conditions I have covered in my career, I know that I have everything I need to make good photos. The only question is if I have mastered when to use each piece, and how to use specific gear.

Washington Monument on 70th Anniversary of D-Day - ©TimeLine Media
Washington Monument on 70th Anniversary of D-Day – ©TimeLine Media

Emphatically, there is no bigger regret as a photographer to have a piece of gear with you that you never took out of the bag. Esepcially if realize later it could have made your shoot better. This has happened to me on a few occasions, and it affects the way I view the images later. The fact that I could have done more but did not, really bothers me. It pushes me to learn the lesson and not repeat the mistake. This is one of the reasons that I think my job as a photographer is still exciting for me. I am far from mastering the craft, but I am encouraged by my progress. Each time I shoot, I have an opportunity to make new photos. Hopefully there are people reading this blog, or following my social media channels can see how things have changed for the better! Hopefully you get to catchup on your to-do list soon!

River Piers panorama - ©TimeLine Media
River Piers panorama – ©TimeLine Media

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Personal, Photography, Technology | 0 comment

Photography Practice

I am a medium sports fan. Overall, there are teams that I follow closely, and some sports that I follow as they get into their playoffs or get ready to crown their new champions. On the sporting-related channels, there is no shortage of behind the scenes shows that tell the story of the athletes and coaches away from the playing field. They detail their preparation, work, and practice that they do long before the games.

Dachshund laying in grass - ©TimeLine Media
Dachshund laying in grass – ©TimeLine Media

Honing Skills

Practice is what separates the professionals from the enthusiasts. The same is true in photography. The value of the equipment can only be fully realized by those that have taken the time to experiment. Emphatically, you need to test, and repetitively work the action until it becomes natural. In looking through my portfolio, it is easy to see how you progress as you work.

Storm clouds - ©TimeLine Media
Storm clouds – ©TimeLine Media

This also applies to when you do the practice. Doing this on a paying job is not recommended! You need to practice this before you are in front of a client. You can really test the limits of your equipment, and see what is possible with different setups. If you are at a wedding, or you have a corporate client waiting for you to make an exposure, you need to have all the technical details worked out. They do not have the time, nor are they interested in waiting for you to test when they have guests to see, or work that needs their attention.

Cupcake photographs - ©TimeLine Media
Cupcake photographs – ©TimeLine Media

Any opportunity that you have your camera can be a time to test. You do not have to have a personal project in mind, but have a piece of equipment, or a specific technique in mind. This will make your effort to “take your camera with your wherever you go” more productive. You already have the basic, automatic settings down after a few shoots with your gear, so push yourself to try something different. It has made me better prepared when faced with different shooting situations.

Pet portrait - ©TimeLine Media
Pet portrait – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Personal, Photography, Portrait, Travel | 0 comment

Stalking A Seagull

Seagull on pier - ©TimeLine Media

Looking through my photo portfolio, you could say most of my assignments have a lot of action. From ballroom dancers to weddings, and even to fashion shows. There is always a lot of movement and a sense of excitement – at least that is what I am trying to convey in my photos. This post is about an encounter I had with a bird. You would think that this again would have lots of movement, and trial and error to get a sharp image. But it turned out to be one of the calmest subjects I have had in a while.

Shore Bird

Seagull on pier - ©TimeLine Media
Seagull on pier – ©TimeLine Media

This bird was sitting on the pier near where we were grilling dinner. Although there are usually a flock of seagulls (insert music pun here) in the area, this one gull wanted to see what we were doing. It kept a good distance making sure we were not coming after him in a threatening way. So I thought that I could get close for a nice shot.

Seagull on pier - ©TimeLine Media
Seagull on pier – ©TimeLine Media

As I moved closer to the end of the pier, he moved a little further out. He was cautious, but he did let me get close. I tried moving slowly, and as close to the ground as I could hoping that I could move into a better position.

Fluffing Feathers - ©TimeLine MediaFluffing Feathers - ©TimeLine Media
Fluffing Feathers – ©TimeLine Media

The bird really knew that I was following him, so I just stopped about a third of the way down the pier, and moved around his position. Crouching down all produced even better results:

Bird on one foot - ©TimeLine Media
Bird on one foot – ©TimeLine Media

The best results came from putting the camera right down on to boards on the pier. Keeping the aperture open really isolated the focus to the bird. It made the pylons on the side of the pier both in front and behind the bird disappear making for a nice leading line to the subject.

Seagull on pier - ©TimeLine Media
Seagull on pier – ©TimeLine Media

Luckily, the seagull headed to the middle of the pier making for a nice symmetrical composition. I really enjoyed this exercise! After it was clear we were not going to give him any of our barbecue, the gull flew on to find better luck somewhere else.

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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