Once in a while I post something that might actually be educational. While I promise that it is entirely unintended I figure I might as well create a page here for those looking for these sorts of posts. I expect to add more and this page will be updated as I do. The most recent posts are at the top.
Using whitebalance targets to correct color
Proper white balance usually matters to everyone at one point or another, but for the colorblind person it can be incredibly challenging to correct colors. While digital cameras can adapt to a broad variety of lighting conditions thanks to the range of color temperatures you can choose from or process the RAW file with, it’s important to know where neutral is.
Handy tools for the colorblind: whitebalance references
Making vs creating light
As a photographer the most important thing that needs to be understood is light. Technical knowledge is good but without understanding light the content of the image may never reach its full potential. Learning how to see and create light means we have to stop simply using and making it. Joe deserves credit for his thoughts yesterday while we were wandering downtown Rochester. He is a Strobist reader but he understands where I am coming from when I criticize some members of the cult-of-Strobist.
Making light versus creating light
Curves
This guide to curves was created for a number of reasons although the biggest motivation was to answer some questions about curves which I have been asked frequently over the years so that I would have an easy way to answer someone whom I couldn’t help in person.
Curves Introduction
Curves 1: The Histogram
Curves 2: The Curve
Curves 3: Manipulating Curves
A guide to picking the right equipment
If you don’t know what to buy and why you’re buying it, you probably shouldn’t buy it. This is a somewhat philosophical post and it reflects my opinions on buying photographic equipment. All too often I see people asking questions about what lens they should buy next and they’re picking between some inexpensive telephoto zoom and a pricey wide angle prime lens. If you can’t answer the what you should at least know the why.
What are you buying? Why choosing the right equipment isn’t always a matter of performance specs.
My thoughts on the many rules of photography
The beginning photographer is told to follow many rules such as the rule of thirds and to make sure they avoid large areas of white or black in their photographs and to get a “correct” exposure (whatever that is!). I believe that while these are useful guidelines for someone new to photography there is a time and a place where we must all learn when we should break free from them.
Getting sharp photos under inadequate lighting
Even after using all the best hand-holding techniques (use nearby support, proper stance and arm/face positioning, rolling your finger across the shutter button, etc) it’s still possible that getting a sharp shot just isn’t always that easy. In the post linked below I talk about a technique I’ve used many times with great results that helps improve the odds of getting a sharp shot.
