“That was terrible!” I exclaimed when I returned from picking up some newly processed medium format film I’d shot.

My ever-patient wife asked, “What happened?”

Large format film photography - Graflex

When it comes to certain types of artwork, especially with film, it needs to be perfect, or it’s just plain “terrible!”

Film is a tricky medium. There are no guarantees — just experience and knowledge to help guide your way. I still shoot film for certain aspects of my photography work and in this edition of Exposed! we help answer the question “Why shoot film photography?” Below are many reasons some working and hobby photographers shoot with film:

Shooting with film

We’d also like to say a big thanks to our Exposed! sponsors who help make these free newsletters possible. This month visit Dave Andrews for some printing. He plays some fine music, too!

DaveAndrews.ca

This week we sent the Exposed! Photo Newsletter to over 1500 subscribers in Ottawa, across Canada and around the world.

Slow Photography

I hear it regularly. Students glow as they beam “I took 1512 photos over the weekend.” That’s a lot! Compare that with Ansel Adams who was known for saying, “Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.”

Like the slow food movement, more does not always mean better. Faster is not always a good thing.

In this edition of Exposed! we look at tips for creating better photos by slowing down.

Slow Photography

Also remember the Open House at our new photo studio – OttawaStudioWorks.com – in central Ottawa January 28th and 29th, 2011. We’re raising $money for the dogs (and other furry friends) at area animal shelters.

Open House - Ottawa Photography Studio

Our photo newsletter went out to most recipients this week:

How to be a Photo Superstar!

Steve Nash is an unlikely basketball superhero. At 6’3″ he is short for a pro and he grew up in Victoria, BC, a spot known more for producing tea shops than basketball superstars.

And yet, Nash fought his way to the NBA Most Valuable Player – twice – and continues to lead the offensive team of the Phoenix Suns basketball team.

So, how did he grow from humble beginnings to achieve so much? He worked hard, had fun and pursued success.

In this edition of Exposed! learn from Nash’s career to become photo superstars or photo business superstars.

Read the whole article.

How to be a supesrtar!

Yesterday we sent an Exposed! Photo Newsletter to subscribers.

How to get a correct exposure

“On a summer workshop a new student was watching a dog and human perform tricks for onlookers on the lively strip of Laval St in Hull. A perfect setup for some street portraiture!

It was a complicated photo scenario though. The performing duo were fully lit in mid-afternoon sun while the background was fully in shade.

The student got some great compositions but his exposures varied widely even though the light was not changing. What was going on? I discovered the photographer was relying on aperture priority (semi-automatic) exposure mode – with no adjustments – and hoping for the best.

In a diversely lit scene shot with a semi-automatic exposure mode exposures can suffer if there is no photographer intervention. This month’s edition of ‘Exposed!’ aims to help you get consistently better photos as we investigate the world of exposure modes!”

Read the whole article!

Easy exposure!

Tough exposure!

August’s photography newsletter went out to most recipients today.

This week we explored the idea of Opportunistic Light:

“Recently I was away on a photo hunt – expanding my base of stock and photo based art while experimenting and trying new techniques. My tools were mostly simple – cameras, lenses and the sun as my main light source.

I started shooting at what I call “Far Too Early!” to capture golden light and stillness. As I was crawling around investigating a garden I stumbled upon a momentarily backlit situation behind a beautiful thistle, below. Working quickly I captured a decent shot that was only available ten minutes a day for perhaps two weeks a year.

Opportunistic photo lighting

While we sometimes use manufactured lighting – strobes, reflectors – there is always an opportunity to discover simple and magical “opportunistic lighting.”

In this edition of Exposed! we explore where to find the special light and how to discover the magic.“

Our photography newsletter went out to most recipients today and laments the poor, overlooked tripod:

The Lonely Tripod
It happens a lot.

I ask students to bring a tripod for my workshops and the students spend the day carrying their tripods over their shoulder instead of setting it up under their camera.

“Why?” I plead.

“Oh, it’s a pain to set up.”
“It takes too long.”
“I don’t like using it.
“I don’t need it.”

Sigh.

In this edition of Exposed! we shed some light on the lonely, overlooked tripod.

Read the whole article…

tripod use in landscape photography

Ok, ok, those who know me, know I preach “get it right in the camera, save time in post processing.”

It’s true. Spend a little time making sure everything is as good as possible before clicking can save hours in Photoshop.

Recently Photoshop CS5 was launched and I have heard some good reviews. Time for an upgrade at Harry, Inc., I think.

Read the CS5 review at Photo District News

How much tweaking do I do? Depends on the assignment!

Read the Exposed! photo Newsletter -“Cheating or Tweaking” for views on post processing.

Post Processing - Icelandic Horses