Insights and musings about photography and the creative process
I Hope He's Ugly
If Steve Coleman is good looking, then life just isn't fair. Amazing photographer, inspiring writer, accomplished designer. When they were passing out talent, this guy didn't just come back for seconds, he stole the whole damn buffet. See for yourself.
If Steve Coleman is good looking, then life just isn't fair. Amazing photographer, inspiring writer, accomplished designer. When they were passing out talent, this guy didn't just come back for seconds, he stole the whole damn buffet. See for yourself. To top it off, he doesn't do it for the money (the photography, that is). It's purely his passion, his gift to the world. Now that's just plain disgusting. I actually met Steve when he dropped into my gallery in Steamboat Springs, CO. He was kind enough to drop me a complimentary note afterwards (a nice guy too, arrgh). Out of curiosity, I clicked the link to his website. Wow. His stunning images and the beautiful understated design of the site blew me away. Recently I visited his site again and clicked the link to his blog. His latest post on "Life & the Business of Photography" really hit home for me. And you MUST read "my thoughts and feelings about photography and life". I think my favorite quote from Steve is "I'm in awe of how beautiful the world is, which is why I love to photograph it." Says it all, in my book. O.K., I'm officially stealing that one. Oh, and "Close your eyes...What do you see?" How artfully said and he's got lots more. So much talent. Please, tell me he's ugly. But he's an Aussie, what are the chances? Well, maybe he kicks dogs... One can hope.
The Art of Seeing Weekend Workshop
2010 Aug 28 - 29 - The Art of Seeing Weekend Workshop- How can I improve my photography is a question I often hear. The short answer is practice, practice, practice. But practice what exactly and how? What is "The Art of Seeing"?
2010 Aug 28 - 29 - The Art of Seeing Weekend Workshop- How can I improve my photography is a question I often hear. The short answer is practice, practice, practice. But practice what exactly and how? What is "The Art of Seeing"? Can I develop my photographic eye or is it a talent you are just born with (or without)? These are the questions we will tackle in this intensive two day workshop. Through a combination of lectures and field sessions, I will demonstrate that everyone can learn to see 'correctly' and practicing the art of seeing is the surest path to improving your photography. Cost $350. Click here for more details and registration form
New Image Naming Contest
Okay, we're doing it again. Come up with the winning name for this untitled new release and win a matted 12X18 print of this image. You can see the winning entries for previous contests in the posts below.
Okay, we're doing it again. Come up with the winning name for this untitled new release and win a matted 12X18 print of this image. You can see the winning entries for previous contests in the posts below. Click the photo to see a larger version on my website or go to www.kenleephoto.com and select Galleries>Nature/FineArt>New Releases. Select the thumbnail and click Zoom to see an enlarged version. To enter, click here or go to my website and select Name This Image Contest. Deadline is March 10. Good luck!
Photo Tip: Look at Small Images to See the Big Picture
Sometimes looking at a very small image often helps you better see the overall composition of a photograph. Read my blog to learn more.
I got a new camera recently that has a beautiful large high resolution LCD screen for previewing images. I see much more detail in this new display than the one in my old camera, but in some ways I miss the "postage stamp" size screen of my previous system. That's because looking at a small image often helps you better see the overall composition of a photograph. Since you can't see much detail, what you are left with is the overall 'shape' of the picture. What I mean is that the pattern of highlights & shadows, dominant colors, and shapes becomes much more obvious when you look at smaller versions of images. You can use this fact to fine tune your compositions in the field. Simply shoot one frame and bring up the image on your camera's screen (this works best when using a tripod). Now try to evaluate the composition from a global perspective. Trust your first impressions. Does the composition feel balanced? Is there a clear subject or does it get lost against the background? Are there any unintentionally distracting bright areas in the frame? If you are having a hard time seeing the overall composition, try stepping back from the screen or bring up the histogram display which further shrinks the size of your image on screen.
Looking at small images is also particularly useful when you are trying to select your best images from a photoshoot. When I was shooting film, I would scan the slide pages on a lightbox before breaking out the loupe. Now that most of us have gone digital, I suggest using your software to view your images as 'thumbnails' during the initial edits.
The pictures that jump out at you at this size will almost always be your strongest compositions. You can also use a variation of this technique when you are working on individual images. It's easy to lose the forest for the trees after spending some time burning, dodging, color correcting and making contrast adjustments. To regain perspective, try shrinking the image on screen and stepping away from the monitor. Better yet, take a break and leave the room. When you return, quickly glance at the screen. Your initial impression will give you a good idea if you are on the right path or if you took a wrong turn somewhere.
Best of Nature
Two of my images, "Winter Fenceline" and "Humphrey's Basin at Dusk" were chosen to be included in theBest of Nature exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum. A total of 72 images were selected from over 2300 entries for this exhibit.
Humphrey's Basin at Dusk
Winter Fenceline
Two of my images, "Winter Fenceline" and "Humphrey's Basin at Dusk" were chosen to be included in theBest of Nature exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum. A total of 72 images were selected from over 2300 entries for this exhibit. The exhibit will be on display at the museum from June 27th thru Sept 13 this year. Click here for more information.
New Image Naming Contest
Our last contest was so successful, we are doing it again. Simply come up with a title for this new release and if your entry is selected you will win a matted limited edition print of this image.
Our last contest was so successful, we are doing it again. Simply come up with a title for this new release and if your entry is selected you will win a matted limited edition print of this image. Click the photo to see a larger version on my website or go to www.kenleephoto.com and select Galleries>Nature/FineArt>New Releases. Select the thumbnail and click Zoom to see an enlarged version. Use the form on the Contact page to send in your entry or just send us an email with your title. Deadline is May 15. Good luck!
1st Image Naming Contest winner selected
Congratulations to Jim Lawler of Worthington, OH for submitting the winning entry in our first Image Naming Contest. Jim's title, "Forever Together", really made me see this image in a new light. - Ken
Forever Together
Congratulations to Jim Lawler of Worthington, OH for submitting the winning entry in our first Image Naming Contest. Jim's title, "Forever Together", really made me see this image in a new light. -Ken
Photo Tip: Zoom in for Stronger Compositions
Everyone has experienced the disappointment of photos that just don't do justice to the beauty and drama of the scene they remember. Usually, this gets blamed on not having a good enough camera. More times than not, however, the culprit is a composition that lacks focus.
Everyone has experienced the disappointment of photos that just don't do justice to the beauty and drama of the scene they remember. Usually, this gets blamed on not having a good enough camera. More times than not, however, the culprit is a composition that lacks focus. Not blurry/sharp focus, but focus in terms of having a clear subject. Faced with photographing a beautiful scene, most people automatically try to "get it all in" one picture. This usually means physically backing up or zooming out with the lens. And when they run out of room, people lean back to try to get that extra tree, mountain, river, whatever in the shot. Unfortunately, in most cases, this is exactly the opposite of what you should be doing. The next time you you find yourself backing up, ask yourself, "what is the subject of this picture?" "What is the really interesting thing about this scene and what can I leave out?" Keep moving forward or zooming in, eliminating (cropping out) everything that is not essential to your composition. Then check all the edges and corners of your frame and see if you can crop out anything else. If you can't resist, shoot one frame with a 'loose' composition and another with the tighter composition. I'll bet you'll agree that the tighter composition almost always makes the stronger image.