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Mid-Day Lighting

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If you’ve played with lighting before in your photography, you know that time of day is one way to control the temperature of your lighting. There’s something soft and flattering about the later light of the day right before dusk. It’s golden, which is really a great way to capture your subjects. The middle of the day is typically the worst time of the day to take photos. The light is harsh, creating hard shadows, squinty eyes, and light photos. If your camera is on auto mode, you may not have the control you want under these conditions. But you … Continue reading →

Bright Ideas—A List Of Indoor Lighting Techniques

In a previous blog I stated that taking pictures outdoors can be tricky. Well, as you may have already learned the hard way, the same can be said for indoor photography. Indoors your eye and your camera may not always read your subject the same way. To avoid this problem from ruining any more of your shots consider following these indoor lighting techniques: Eliminating The “Halo Effect.” Move your subjects away from the wall. By doing so you help eliminate the halo shadows that pop out of your subject and make them appear larger than they are. This annoying effect … Continue reading →

Outdoor Lighting Lessons

Many cultures believe that rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck. (Yeah, try telling that to the bride who’s planning an outdoor wedding.) It drizzled on my wedding day and I have to admit I was concerned the weather would have a negative effect on my wedding pictures, which we planned to take at a local park. I was fortunate to have a very calm and astute wedding photographer who put my mind at ease by assuring me that cloudy days yield some of the nicest shots. Honestly, I thought he was just trying to make … Continue reading →

National Park Tour—-Adventures in Nature Part 2

If your summer vacations to major malls, amusement parks and water worlds have left you searching for better ways to spend quality time with your family why not consider getting away to the great outdoors? The United States’ national park system is one of the finest in the world. Not only do our country’s natural wonders provide an alternative to long lines and stomach-turning thrill rides they also offer an affordable way to escape from the chaos of everyday life and reconnect with the people that mean the most to you. So, turn off your cellphones, unplug your iPods, say … Continue reading →

Tips for Shooting in Black-and-White

I was this close to using a black-and-white photo of my daughter as our Christmas card picture. The photo’s muted tones complemented the card’s red border perfectly. But, at the last minute I decided to go with a double image card and stuck with colored shots. I don’t know about you, but I have a weakness for black-and-white photography. In my opinion it is timeless, simple and lends a touch of class to the décor. If you don’t shoot in black-and-white I urge you to break out of your color rut and give it a shot. As I continue my … Continue reading →

Winter Adventure Travel Packages—Yellowstone

You’ll never convince my brother that bird watching is a sport (my mom’s cousin tried for 3-hours one Easter to no avail). But, what about wolf watching? Some nature enthusiasts consider it the ideal winter sporting event and the trend appears to be catching on. As I continue my series of blogs spotlighting various tours for those of you who don’t mind braving the frigid temperatures to spend time in the great outdoors, I’m focusing on Yellowstone National Park. The world-renown park is the site of a unique travel package being offered by the Yellowstone Association. The non-profit organization runs … Continue reading →

Winter Adventure Travel Packages—New England

So you and your family have spent past holidays skiing, skating, snowshoeing, and dog sledding and now you are looking for a more challenging winter activity. Well, you’ve found the right blog. As I continue my ongoing series spotlighting various tours catering to die-hard winter sports enthusiasts, today I’m turning my attention to one adventure you won’t soon forget—ice climbing. Warning: This adventure is not for the faint of heart or those who are not in good physical condition. Eastern Mountain Sports’ (EMS) three-day mountaineering course is the perfect introduction to the world of ice climbing. If you want to … Continue reading →

My Favorite Photographer—Ansel Adams

What photographer (amateur or otherwise) doesn’t stand in awe of Ansel Adams’ work? The legendary shooter has produced some of the most iconic and breathtaking images of American landscapes known to man. I discovered Adams’ work in college when I was shopping around for pictures to decorate the dreary walls of my dormitory. I bought posters of Adams’ Moon and Half Dome and Oak Tree, Snowstorm and would stare at them whenever I contemplated leaving the bitter Wisconsin cold and returning home to Hawaii. I ended up staying in college and those Ansel Adams’ posters remained with me for four … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving—-The Perfect Photo Op

My mom hates posing for picture. Ditto for my dad. Regardless, I don’t let their distaste for being photographed tarnish my efforts to use family get-togethers as the perfect venue to snap frame worthy shots. Nor should you. November is here and the holiday season is fast approaching. It’s a time when many families will be gathering at the same place at the same time. Which means it is the prime opportunity to snap a group portrait. Especially if you have family members who only make it home once a year. The following are some simple tips to help you … Continue reading →

Capturing Shots During the “Golden Hours”

Early on in my college photography class I learned about the “golden hours.” Otherwise known as the first hour after dawn and the last hour before dusk. Photographers taking shots in the great outdoors are taught to shoot during these times to capture color that is unrivaled. These days I try to time my outdoor photo shoots so they coincide with sunset. The warm glow and saturated colors this particular “golden hour” imparts can’t be captured at any other time of the day. I recognized this the first time I went to the beach to take shots of the sunset. … Continue reading →