Tag: techniques

Finding the Spirit of Place

by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, Workshops

copyright Karen UlvestadThis workshop is the culmination of creativity combined with photography. It is the art of exploring the environment or subject to express its true nature from the perspective of the photographer.

It is offered through the amazing art school Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. It is the former home of Georgia O’Keefe.

Here is the synopsis of the workshop. . .

Ready to take the next step in your photography? Learn to “see” the world around you through the camera’s eye, and create amazing photographic images. Simply put, photography is light. It’s important to see it and learn to control it through camera settings. In the digital age, photography is more dynamic in what can be captured in a picture. Our cameras are able to capture both low light and high light situations. To create a photograph, this is combined with our knowledge of our camera’s settings. Exposure and composition combine together to make the photograph a true representation of the photographer’s vision through management of light, color, and highlight/shadow. This class includes the formulas and techniques to create dynamic photographs, and the importance of equipment choices. Different lens focal lengths change the depth of field recorded by the camera. This is an important piece of creating a story-telling photographic image. Discussions include in-camera techniques and digital darkroom adjustments. The digital darkroom is basically the photo lab of the film days of photography. We will learn basic techniques, along with the best software and best hardware choices. This is where the photographer adjusts the photograph to match his/her visual representation of the scene/subject. It is as important as in-camera techniques to create the picture. Class includes time to practice these new concepts and techniques through practice and assignments. Questions are encouraged both in-class, and during practice times. Each class includes time for review / critique of students work. The feedback helps clarify the concepts of the class, and encourages creativity.

We will cover:
*Seeing Examples of concepts through visual presentation
*Learning how to “see” and “seeing” techniques
*Creativity is encouraged *Exposure & composition (basic to advanced depending on level of student)
*Equipment & how to select which pieces to use
*Learn visual story-telling and finding inner vision
*Planning and accomplishing the photographic concepts
*Color or Black & White? What works best with the photograph’s concept
*Experimenting with visual concepts
*Connecting with the subject or place
*In-camera techniques for better photographs
*Digital Darkroom techniques

Link for the class is on the Workshops page. . .

Black & White Photography Tips

by karenulvestad, posted in Digital Darkroom, Tips, Workshops

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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 need to be translated into their tonal quality. This is dependent on camera settings, and post production processes.

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Traditional black and white was done with black and white film. The process of exposure and film choice dictated the end photograph. Modern digital cameras work differently. The camera’s photo sensor sees light and filters colors. Black and white settings on the camera can produce beautiful photographs, though it will depend on the camera’s programming.

The contrast between light and dark, along with the mid-tones, create the black and white image. The settings for black and white are in picture style, filters, or color (tone) menus of the digital camera. In many cameras, the photographer can set the contrast, brightness, and other settings for the photograph.

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The second way to create successful black and white photographs is in the post processing phase of modern photography. There are many different types of photo processing software and photo filters available. The photos in this blog were done in Adobe Photoshop.

Karen
Visualize ~ Create ~ Evoke

To learn more, I’ll be teaching Black & White photography on the amazing Oregon coast this June 2018. The Oregon Coast in Black & White, June 18th & 19th, 2018 at the Sitka Center for Arts & Ecology. For more information, click here.

Composition. . .Man & Nature

by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction

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Composition is one of those subjective topics. It varies from person to person and artist to photographer. . .or, is there really a difference between artists and photographers? At it’s core, composition is simply about the arrangement of the visual image.

From an artist’s perspective, it is broken down into lines, shapes, forms, color, etc. All these concepts span all the art forms. The combinations of these concepts help a viewer “see” the intent of the artist.

In the photograph above, the design of the man-made arch incorporates mirrors to reflect the natural environment surrounding it. The shapes of the clouds are similar to the circles on the arch. The composition brings both of these elements into focus.

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The photographer adds a few other “rules” to the idea of composition. The rule of thirds is one of the best known. It brings the focus away from the center point of the photograph, offering another perspective.

The photography above uses columns to move the viewer’s eye through the photography. It is the perspective that allows that to happen. The columns are framed by natural elements. . .the trees and clouds.

The use of perspective as a composition element is valuable to a photographer. It gives a “feeling” to the viewer about the subject. The art of the photographic images is how the photographer chooses to compose the photograph.

In the last photograph, the surrounding scene is reflected in the lens of the lighthouse. It’s all about the creative point-of-view.

Karen
Visualize ~ Create ~ Evoke

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Choices, Exposure & Composition

by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, light, Tips

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The experience included hundreds of sandhill cranes flying overhead, with some landing in the field below. Their sounds waft in the air, like a light trill. Unlike ducks and geese, the cranes seem to fly without formation, and their flight is affected by wind gusts.

At a distance, it becomes easy to place hundreds of these amazing birds into a single frame. The photo above is taken with a 600 mm lens. The challenge becomes “how are the birds placed in the frame?”

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One thing to remember is that these birds are not small. There size ranges from 3 to 5 feet tall (depending on sub-species and male/female), and their wing span ranges from 5 to 7 feet across.

The photo above is a grouping of 3 birds against the sky. Light is important in all photography, and especially important when photographing birds. The light in this image is late afternoon sun, and it casts a warm glow in these cranes. It is important to light up the head (or face) of the bird.

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In this photo, the light brings the cranes out from the blue background. Without the sunlight, the birds would blend into the background, and be more difficult to see. As for where to focus. it is good to select an area with a large concentration of birds. It is easier for the camera’s auto-focus to actually focus on the subject.

As for exposure, expose for the birds. The background isn’t as important as the cranes, and it’s okay for it to go light or dark. The shutter speed needs to be fast enough (1/250 sec or faster) to keep the cranes from blurring. At a distance, an aperture of F8 should offer enough depth of field to keep most of the birds is focus.

Tip – Use the available light. Set the shutter speed to stop the action, and the aperture to keep most of the flock in focus.

Karen
Visualize ~ Create ~ Evoke

Skagit Eagle Festival 2018

by karenulvestad, posted in Bird Festivals

copyright Karen Ulvestad

It’s this weekend! I’ll be speaking Saturday, January 27th at 11 am in Concrete, WA.

“Creating Magical Moments With Bird Photography”

at the

Concrete Historical Theater

 

Happy Shooting. . .Karen

Focus. . .

by karenulvestad, posted in Tips

copyright Karen Ulvestad

Focus is a key to a successful photograph! I mean focus on the subject and the idea behind the image. What message is the photographer trying to convey through the visual medium of photography.

Beyond technique, a great photograph shares a story. Otherwise, why would we want to look at it, share it, have it in our homes (or office), or purchase it?

The message could be peace and tranquility. It may show the chaos of the inner city. What is it that drives the interest in the photograph? What is it’s story?

As photographers, we can all take beautiful photographs. The digital age make accessibility to quality equipment available to a wider range of people. There are so many choices – phones, point and shoots, mirrorless, or DSLR.

So, what story do you wish to tell? It is a question to ask yourself as you compose your photographs.

Happy Shooting. . .Karen

 

The Oregon Coast in Black & White

by karenulvestad, posted in Workshops

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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 beckons to the dynamics of black and white photography. Layers of clouds and headlands, frenzied ocean waves or tranquil sand beaches offer endless possibilities for composition, exposure, and amazing images. This workshop offers a short classroom orientation, photo critiques at the end, and plenty of time in the field. Dress for the weather and walking/hiking.

As I write this, there are only 4 spaces left. To learn more or register, click here.

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Visualize ~ Create ~ Evoke

Karen

Remember the Sky

by karenulvestad, posted in Tips, Workshops

copyright Karen Ulvestad

The sky is an important composition element. When included in the photograph, it can be a solid blue or grey, have texture from clouds, or have importance (depending on how much is included). Each of these composition choices affects the “feeling” of the photograph.

In the image above, the clouds are an important part of the composition. Their shape reflects the patchy snow on the meadow below.

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In this photograph, the clouds come in two distinct textures. One is puffy and closer to the water’s surface. The others are higher in the atmosphere, and are linear. The puffy clouds mimic the headland, and islands (sea stacks). The higher clouds create a diagonal line, which draws the views eye through the image.

copyright Karen Ulvestad

In this last image, the sky is without clouds. The interest in this photograph is the flowers and building, without the sky competing with the subject for attention. A clear sky helps a specific subject stand out, or it simplifies the composition.

Happy shooting. . .Karen

Sandhill Cranes and More in Othello

by karenulvestad, posted in Bird Festivals, Location

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I spoke this past Saturday at the Othello Sandhill Crane Festival in Othello, WA. It was an amazing experience! The room was filled at 9 am for my presentation Celebrate Birds Through Photography.

This festival is incredible in both its size and number of speakers/tours. It is well worth the adventure to Eastern Washington for the event.

It was interesting to discover how easy it was to see the cranes flying, but nearly impossible to see them in the fields. The photograph above is of a field with over 50 cranes amoungst the cattle.

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Looking upwards, it was easier to see the cranes flying through in small groups. Thankfully, the sky was blue with white clouds. The cranes stood out against the background, and were easier to see.

The other amazing birds we saw were yellow head blackbirds. I actually thought they were blackbirds landing behind reflectors on the irrigation pipes. What a pleasant surprise when I discovered they were beautiful yellow and black birds.

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Happy Shooting. . .Karen

Visualize ~ Create ~ Evoke

Swans & Geese in the Skagit & Stilliguamish Deltas

by karenulvestad, posted in Bird Festivals, Instruction

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Light is everything in bird photography! The time of day will affect the number and types of birds seen in flying overhead or feeding in the farm fields. The photo above is taken at dusk, and the birds are Trumeter Swans. Both Trumpeter and Tundra swans migrate and winter in the Skagit and Stilliguamish deltas.

During the hunting season, fewer Snow Geese are in these areas, due to hunters in the farm fields. During this time, there usually are many flocks of swans in the area. The easiest way to tell the difference is the length of the neck and color. Swans have longer necks, and snow geese have black wing-tips.

copyright Karen Ulvestad

The birds in the photo above Snow Geese. These birds fly in flocks of a few individuals to several hundred. Later in the season (March – April), they gather by the thousands as they prepare for the long migation back to Wrangle Island in Russia. Annually, about 60,000 to 70,000 Snow Geese winter in the area.

Stanwood holds an annual festival celebrating the Snow Geese. It’s called the Port Susan Snow Goose Festival. This year, the dates are Febraury 25 and 26, 2017. I will be speaking on Sunday morning with a following field trip (optional). It is free!

I’ll leave you with one more photo. . .

Happy Shooting. . .Karen

“The Art of Photographing Birds” Feb 26, 2017 at 11 am – 12:30 pm, Registration Required