I created this image in Photoshop Elements for a class I teach:
click for larger version
The thing is, this technique is really easy to do. I didn’t make it up, it’s widely known and used by many Photoshop users, both pro and amateur. It’s just fun to both shoot and then assemble in Photoshop (or Elements 9 and above). (more…)
I’ve been laboring under the illusion for some time now, that there are certain principles by which you can improve your photographs. These principles are commonly known as the Rules of Composition. They include the Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, Layering, etc. I have tried to create images that are influenced by these rules, and since I teach a few classes on photography, I too have tried to explain these principles and their use. (more…)
Right up front I need to state as clearly as possible that there are NO EASY steps to getting better at ANYTHING, much less photography. Zak Arias wrote blog post ranting about some guy who created a website that was hawking “10 Easy Steps to Creating a Successful Photography Business”. There was such an avalanche of responses by those who really know what photography is all about calling this guy out on what was essentially pure bulls**t, that he took the site down to “revise” it (so no, I don’t have a link to it, nor would I provide one if his site was up). Please read Zak’s rant as he does a great job of speaking truth to bulls**t on this a**hole.
“Dragging the shutter” is a technique in which you combine the stop-action of a flash with a slow shutter speed. The resulting image is one where you see motion blur PLUS a clearly defined subject….er sort of. This technique also calls into play another feature that your camera offers; First (or Front) Curtain Sync, and Second (or Rear) Curtain Sync. Before I get into all that, here is an image I took dragging the shutter:
I wanted to make a quick video to help clear up whatever confusion that may exist about the RAW file format, and explain why I feel you should set your camera to shoot in RAW instead of JPEG. Most of today’s cameras, even some point & shoot, have the ability to shoot RAW. But since out-of-box they usually are set to shoot JPEG, most users aren’t aware of the huge advantage shooting in RAW offers.
