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Black & White Photography Tips
Black and white photography relies on the tonal quality of the colors in the scene. The way the photographer “sees” the image changes. Without the reliance on color, the photograph relies on whites, blacks, and gray tones. The human eye sees about 16 million colors. To create a successful black and white photograph, those colors…
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The Oregon Coast in Black & White
This workshop is happening the first weekend in July (1st & 2nd) on the Oregon coast. There is some classroom time, then it’s off to photograph the amazing coastline and wildlife. Workshop description – Capture the dramatic and rugged Oregon coastline in classic and timeless black and white. Whether shooting film or digital, the coast…
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Black & White
Black and white photography uses tonality, contrast, and composition to engage the viewer. It is the origins of photography, and the favorite of famous photographers such as Ansel Adams. This type of photography takes a different “eye” than its color counter part. The tonality of black and white succumbs to the vibrance of color in…
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Photography is Painting with Light
Light is everything when it comes to photography. These three photographs were taken on the same evening. To the east towards the coastal mountain range, the weather was thunder and lightning. Along the coast, the clouds created a dramatic sky for the coming sunset. The top photo shows the warmth of the late…
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Sitka Workshop Went Great
“Excellent instructor – willing to help and make accommodations for all. . .” Student comment. . . The Spirit of Place workshop I taught at the Sitka Center for Arts & Ecology went great! The students were a fantastic group of diverse individuals with a desire to learn more about photography. We ventured out on…
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Sharing a Story in a Photographic Image
Photographs come in many different styles, such as landscape, wildlife, people, and commercial. There are many more that are not listed here. What separates a photograph from others is the clarity of the story it tells. What does the photographer share with the audience that isn’t shared in other images. The photograph below is a…
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The Best of 2013
It was a year of change, and it reflected in my photographic images. This first image is about community. I was experimenting with a new 2x tele-converter with my 100-400 mm lens, and this was the result. On a drifting log resting are harbor seals, cormorants, gulls, and sandpipers. This next image is Oregon in…
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Making Artistic Choices. . .
Photography is the art of taking light waves, controlling their intensity, and creating a visual image. Though this process, there are several decisions or choices make regarding exposure, composition, and subject. During my workshop at Sitka, we spent one day hiking through the forest. I usually spend my time working with students individually, and pointing…
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Photographing Nesting Bird Colonies
I returned from teaching a fantastic workshop at Sitka on the Oregon coast last Thursday. We had the opportunity to photograph thousands of nesting birds. The low tide offered us an opportunity to walk closer to the bird colonies, and gave an opportunity to see tide pools filled with marine life. The lower rocks were…
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The Human Side of Photography
As I am preparing for my workshop in Oregon next week (May 28-29), I am reminded about all the knowledge that goes into creating a beautiful bird and wildlife images. The camera is a view into how we “feel” at the time of taking the pictures. How are we “seeing” at the time of the shoot.…