November 2008 Archives

What makes this Monument Valley photo so striking? According to Brenda Tharp, it's a good foreground. Here she explains how a strong foreground can draw a viewer into a picture, creating a heavier impact and more expression.

At first glance you might not realize this photograph is of the Death Valley sand dunes. That's because Brenda Tharp didn't set out to capture the dunes themselves, but rather the elements of design they contain. Here she explains the concept behind the photo.

This shot of a red rose petal looks absolutely breathtaking. How did Brenda Tharp capture such intricate detail. Here she explains how she managed to capture the delicate beauty of her subject in a macro shot.

Some photographers shoot what they see, while others shoot what they want you to see which is exactly what this photograph of birch trees is about. Brenda Tharp explains how she takes an abstract approach to some of her photography subjects.

Some pictures are perfect for panning, and this photograph of birds in flight is one of them. Brenda explains exactly what went into this powerful and beautiful shot.

There's no denying that this predawn shot is absolutely breathtaking. How did Brenda Tharp compose and capture it? Read on...

This shot of flowing water is quite unique. Some areas are soft while others are sharp and the reflective property of the water's surface is absolutely beautiful. How did she get it? Brenda let us in on her secrets during her 7 Photography Questions interview.

This photograph of a misty sunrise really makes the viewer feel like they're there. How did Brenda manage to capture such an amazing image? She shared the details during her 7 Photography questions interview.

Panning is one way to capture motion in photography, but it's not always the right way. How do you know when you should pan and when you shouldn't? And when you should, how do you go about panning properly? Brenda Tharp has the answers to these questions.

It can be quite challenging to capture motion in photography. After all, putting movement into a still photograph is no easy feat. Here Brenda Tharp offers some words of advice on exactly how to do it, and what you need to do first.

A graduated neutral density filter is definitely a useful piece of photography equipment, but do you know exactly how versatile it can be? Brenda Tharp has some tricks up her sleeve that you may want to take into consideration when it comes to using this great photography tool.

As I was discussing expressive nature photography with professional photographer Brenda Tharp I asked her which equipment she just couldn't function without. After all, every photographer has an arsenal of equipment they work with. You can't very well go out and buy it all at once. So which equipment makes the must-have list? Brenda gave us the inside scoop.

The way a novice approaches selective focus photography varies greatly from the way a pro does it. I asked Brenda for some advice for our more advanced listeners. She had some very interesting information to offer.

Do you know what selective focus is? If you don't, you're missing out on a very valuable nature photography technique. Here Brenda Tharp explains what selective focus is and how you can use it to bring your nature photographs to new heights.

Not everyone is born knowing how to incorporate elements of design into their photographs. How do you make the lines, patterns and textures of nature work for you? That's exactly what I asked Brenda during her 7 Photography Questions interview, and she was more than willing to offer some insightful advice.

Expressive image photography is one of the more challenging areas of the photography world. So it's no surprise that mistakes are commonly made. How do you avoid the pitfalls so many other photographers run into? Brenda Tharp offers some advice.

During our 7 Photography Questions interview, Brenda used the term "expressive photography" more than once. The question is, what does she mean by expressive photography and why is it important to budding nature photographers? Here she explains...

Expressive nature photography shows a more interpretive aspect of the scene or subject. It includes things like visual design elements, (line, pattern, texture, etc.), selective focus, and capturing motion (including stop-action, motion blur, and panning).

Brenda Tharp offers many insights and a great deal of excellent advice during her 7 Photography Questions interview.

We've talked about nature photography many times in this podcast series. Whether it's the power of a crashing wave or the subtle beauty of a butterfly wing, nature photographers have the pleasure of capturing nature's most beautiful moments and sharing them with the world.

Today's interview specifically focuses on expressive nature photography: going beyond simply recording what's out there in order to take a more interpretive approach to a scene or subject that express your vision.

Brenda Tharp shares her insider tips, secrets and perspectives on how to bring the majesty of nature into a still shot in a more expressive way. Her 7 Photography Questions interview will prove to be a memorable one.

If you want professional food photography tips, you turn to a master. Ron Goldman fits that bill perfectly, which is why I asked him to offer some parting advice and exercises for our listeners. Here's what he had to say...

One ice cream dessert is nice, but a whole row of ice cream desserts is to die for. How did Ron Goldman create such an interesting pattern? Here he explains exactly what it takes to get an amazing shot like this one.

When you look at this glass of red wine, you can't be certain where the lighting is coming from. It's a rather dramatic shot. How did Ron Goldman master it? Here he explains the concept behind rim lighting.

Ron Goldman discovered a great way to photograph fruit and put it to test with this shot of a kiwi slice. Here he explains how his experience with the orange slice went further and further with other kinds of fruit.

Think this picture of an orange slice was taken with a macro lens? Guess again. Things aren't always what they seem. Here Ron Goldman tells us the real story behind this colorful photograph.

If you think photography lighting is expensive, this chips and salsa picture is going to give you the surprise of your life. Here Ron Goldman explains how to get a professional lighting look with things you probably already have at home.

Sometimes food seems to just jump out of the photograph, teasing your taste buds and making you want what you see. This shot of chocolate and raspberries is a perfect example. How did Ron Goldman compose such a mouthwatering shot? Here's the scoop.

When looking at tomatoes it's not hard to tell fresh tomatoes from ones that are a few days or weeks old. How do you capture that freshness on camera? If you're Ron Goldman you put your ingenuity to work for you. Here's how he managed to capture this beautiful shot.

When first looking at this picture of mango slices, you might not be sure what it is you're seeing. How and why did Ron Goldman get such a shot? He was more than happy to share some insight during his time with us.

The technique Ron Goldman used to photograph the orange peppers worked on tomato slices as well. Here he explains what went into this mouthwatering shot...

At first glance you don't realize this shot of orange peppers was taken in natural lighting on the surface of a mirror. Surprised? Ron Goldman explained exactly what went into this picture during his 7 Photography Questions interview.

Knowing how to photograph food doesn't just come naturally. It takes hard work, practice and, with any luck, some secrets from a master. Fortunately, Ron Goldman is willing to provide you with one of the three.

You can photograph steam till the cows come home and that doesn't mean you're going to have steam showing up in your pictures. What can you do to make sure your shots actually reveal the steam that was present when you took them? It seems that direction, lighting and background have a lot to do with it.

When you see photographs of steam rising off of food, it's not always as natural as it appears. Sometimes you have to tweak it. Exactly how do you do that? Ron Goldman offers some advice...

Think taking photographs of your family feast on Thanksgiving day is a great idea? You might want to think twice. Ron Goldman has a few words of wisdom you may want to reflect on...

Mastering food photography lighting is critical if you want to give depth and dimension to your food photographs. When someone looks at your pictures, you want them to practically taste and smell the food in them. You need proper lighting to accomplish that. Ron Goldman had some advice to offer in this area.

Commercial food photography can be an expensive endeavor, and you don't want to spend money on things you don't need. On the other hand, you don't want to find yourself without the equipment needed to get the job done. How do you find the balance? Ron Goldman tells us which equipment a professional food photographer can't live without.

Food is all about appeal, and if you want your food photographs to tantalize the taste buds you've got to get the colors right. How do you bring out the red in a tomato and the green in a cucumber? Ron Goldman offers some advice...

How does one go about preparing food for photography? Do you cook everything on the spot and try to get a few great shots or do you bring in extra help? Ron Goldman offers some insight into this dilemma.

Every field of photography has its associated myths and mistakes. The trick is to learn them and avoid them when possible. Fortunately you don't have to take a "trial by error" approach. Ron Goldman is shedding some light on the subject...

If you think food photography is easy, you need to think again. It's definitely a lot more than just snapping a few shots of a plate on a table. There's so much that goes into really good food photographs. Fortunately, professional photographer Ron Goldman is willing to shed light on just what it takes to create mouthwatering photographs of food.

Have you ever looked at a mouthwatering photograph of food, and wondered how the photographer was able to create such a gorgeous food photography image? Or have you tried photographing food at home, but were disappointed with results? If so, today's interview is for you.

Food photography is one of the often-overlooked fields in the photography world. Nonetheless, it is definitely an art form. Trying to capture the texture and taste of a dish in a still photograph is no easy feat. Few ever manage to perfect it to an art form. Ron Goldman is one of those few.

I was lucky enough to sit down with Ron for a 7 Photography Questions interview and get his expert advice in the area of food photography.

Every master has their secrets and every pro has a few exercises they keep under their sleeve, which is why I asked Joe McNally what our listeners could do to improve their photographs of flight. While some wouldn't be willing to part with such valuable information, Joe was more than willing to share a few tips.

Nothing is ever as easy as it looks, and this picture of a Bolshoi ballerina is a perfect example of that fact. Joe McNally explains just what went into this shot, and the conditions it was taken under may very well surprise you.

It's not always easy to capture motion and grace in a still photograph, but this picture does so beautifully. How did Joe McNally manage it? He was kind enough to share his secrets during his 7 Photography Questions interview.

This photograph of a young ballerina definitely stands out from the crowd. Why is the picture so special? Joe McNally offers some insight as to how shooting what you love can nourish the soul while putting money on the table.

Why is this photograph of an F22 Raptor so unique? Many photographers pick and choose the shots they're willing to look at, making sure conditions meet a certain set of criteria before they begin shooting. Those photographers would never have taken this shot. Joe McNally explains why he isn't one of them.

Many of us are conditioned to avoid shadows in photography. From the moment we pick up a camera we're looking for the light, and shadows aren't usually seen as a tool. Joe McNally took a moment to explain the error in this faulty logic.

How many master photographers are willing to part with his or her dearest photography secret? Not as many as there once were. Joe McNally isn't one of the ones who hold out. Here he shares his favorite photography tip.

When most parents take dance photographs, it's a matter of aiming the camera at the recital stage and shooting random shots. If you want your child's dance photos to really stand out, you need to take a different approach. Joe McNally offers some advice.

It's impossible for anyone to know everything there is to know when you first start out and how to photograph dancers is no different. What's the one thing Joe McNally wishes he had learned sooner? The answer may surprise you.

What does it take to capture great ballet photographs? The right mindset is just one piece of the puzzle. Joe McNally explains how he creates such powerful images, and what's going through his head when he does so.

Sometimes you have to buck the system if you want to be a success, and that's exactly what Joe McNally did with his Bolshoi ballet project. LIFE was reluctant to approve the undertaking at first, but Joe's dedication and determination won out in the end.

How do you go about shooting photographs in weightless conditions, like those encountered in a zero g plane flight? If you're Joe McNally, you face the challenges head on. Joe took some time to describe his zero gravity plane experience and exactly how difficult it was to get the shots he took.

How can you take airplane photographs that really stand out from the crowd? It's not all about equipment and technique. Joe McNally explains what makes his photos so special and unique.

How do you capture motion in flyby flight photographs? It's easier said than done when you're using a camera designed for still shots. Here Joe McNally offers some expert advice.

If you want to take great aviation photographs you're going to have to overcome a unique set of challenges. The sun is not the least of them. How do you deal with fast-flying objects in a brightly-lit sky? Joe McNally offers a few professional tips...

Photography isn't just about skill, it's also about mindset and being an aviation photographer is no different. Here Joe McNally explains what it takes...

Many a photographer thinks a career in aviation photography is all about glamour and thrill. Joe McNally explains there's a not-so-fabulous side to this photography field. If you want to know what it really takes to be an aviation photographer, this is the information you need...

Getting started in flight photography is not always easy, and Joe McNally found that out the hard way. Here he explains how the physical aspect of shooting photographs in-flight isn't always sunshine and rainbows.

Human flight photography is a combination of photographing aviation and dance. Joe McNally sat down for a 7 Photography Questions interview with host Dr. Audri Lanford and revealed a few of his trade secrets. Fortunately, there is no one better to combine these two very challenging subjects.

Human flight photography is a fascinating topic that Joe McNally suggested when I couldn't decide whether to focus on his aviation or dance photographs. Joe had so many stunning photographs in both areas that, when he suggested talking about all of them by combining them with the concept of Human Flight, I knew we had a winner.

Joe McNally, an internationally-acclaimed photographer, shares his wisdom during this interview. If flight photography draws your interest, this is going to be a 7 Photography Questions interview to you'll never forget.

I was really interested in hearing which part of Scott Stulberg's travel photography interview he thought was the most important. What was the one thing he wanted each and every one of our listeners to remember? Here Scott explains the one thing he wants you to take away from our time together...

If you want to create extraordinary travel shots, it's always a good idea to master the secrets of the pros. I asked Scott Stulberg to share a few things our listeners could do to improve their travel photography success.

In the world of travel photographs you have the good, the bad and the ugly. How do you create shots that neighbors and friends will actually beg you to see? Scott Stulberg shares two of his secrets for getting great travel shots, no matter where he's visiting.

How did Scott Stulberg create such a unique portrait of a Maasai warrior? In this portion of his 7 Photography Questions interview he explains the tricks and techniques used to capture such amazing close-up shots.

Getting this close to an African Leopard is equal parts excitement to get the shot and fear you might miss it. Here, Scott tells us how he captured this gorgeous close-up.

Sometimes getting the great shots means being a little sneaky and breaking a few rules. Scott Stulberg explains how that's exactly what he did with this picture of the Louvre at dusk.

Getting a picture of one Gondolier at Carnival in Italy is a good thing, but three is fantastic. Here Scott Stulberg tells us how fast thinking and a bit of luck got him this amazing Venice photograph.

You might think luck plays a big part in getting a great shot of a herd of running Camargue horses. You'd be wrong. It's more about paying for the privilege. Scott Stulberg explains...

How does one capture such an amazing shot of the Oakland Bay Bridge? According to Scott Stulberg, it's about enduring precarious conditions with proper planning and timing to get a shot that puts all others to shame.

Getting a shot of an African lioness is not always an easy feat, and getting one of the lioness staring intently at something is even harder. How did Scott manage to create such a gem? Here he explains his technique...

Sometimes getting a once-in-a-lifetime shot is a matter of being in the right place at the right time, as was the case with this picture of a floating village. Scott Stulberg explains how he had just seconds to snap off the series of shots that resulted in this popular picture.

Is location important if you want to shoot Galapagos sea lions? You better believe it is. So is timing. Scott Stulberg explains where you need to be, and when, if you want to get amazing shots like this one.

Scott Stulberg's picture of a Burmese monk is striking to say the least. But did he just happen across the shot? Absolutely not. Here Scott explains exactly how he was able to capture such a beautiful and serene image.

This photograph of seven little monk boys with parasols in hand is one of Scott Stulberg's perfect photography moments. Here he explains just how he got the unique shot, and how inspiration played a critical role.

How did Scott Stulberg manage to capture this shot of a girl swinging by the water? It was all about pre-visualization. This photo didn't just happen. Scott explains how he put the pieces together to create such a beautiful image.

When Scott Stulberg shot this ethereal photograph of marine iguanas he was thinking in black and white, even though he wasn't shooting in it. How does thinking in black and white help create amazing images? Here he explains...

No job is perfect, and professional travel photography is no exception to that rule. According to Scott Stulberg, travel photographers deal with their own fair share of career-related heartaches. Here he explains the most common (and most frustrating) one...

Most of us have said "if I knew then what I know now" at some point in our lives, and it's definitely true of many a travel photographer. What's the one thing Scott Stulberg wishes he had found out earlier? This portion of his interview holds the key...

What are Scott Stulberg's most closely guarded travel photography secrets? He holds quite a few. Fortunately he was generous enough to share some of them in this portion of his 7 Photography Questions interview.

How do you get a master photographer to part with his travel shot secrets? If you're me, you just ask them outright. Scott Stulberg was a great sport, willingly (well, somewhat willingly) sharing a few of the travel photography tricks he keeps up his sleeve.

If you want to create amazing travel shots you have to really refine your talents as a travel photographer. According to Scott Stulberg, that means familiarizing yourself with a few of the "Eureka" moments and concepts of travel photography. Here Scott explains a few of the discoveries that set an extraordinary travel photographer apart from an ordinary one.

Life as a travel photographer isn't always everything it's cracked up to be. If you think you know what you're in for, you might be surprised. Fortunately, expert photographer Scott Stulberg was willing to share a few of the "duh" moments of travel photography with us.

Scott Stulberg has been sharing a wealth of international travel photography knowledge with us. In Part 2 of this podcast, he provides more tips and techniques on what it takes to master this challenging photography field. You can also learn more about Scott's background, find the resources Scott mentions, see his images, and much more...

I've been interviewing professional travel photographer Scott Stulberg, getting him to part with some of his most valuable international travel photography secrets. He continues to share his expertise and advice in Part 2 of his 7 Photography Questions interview.

Just because you're a travel photographer doesn't mean you'll have models flocking to you, creeping out of the woodwork, begging for you to take their picture. Here Scott offers some helpful advice for approaching people to model for your shots.

Many people assume that great travel shots are an "in the right place at the right time" occurrence, when this couldn't be further from the truth. Scott Stulberg explains how important it is to get people to pose for your shots, and how you can entice them to do so.

If you're looking for models for your travel photography shoots, international model websites like Model Mayhem can be a valuable resource. They are not, however, the only resource you should consider. Scott Stulberg goes on to explain...

When considering the best times to travel you need to consider why it matters, and the answer to that has to do with light. Here Scott Stulberg explains why you can't just pack up and head out with your camera at any old time, and which times are actually best.

Getting a great travel shot isn't just about being in the right place at the right time. A lot of planning goes into it. Scott Stulberg shared a few tips for proper planning of great travel shoots.

When Scott Stulberg planned his Pushkar travel shoot it involved more than just hopping on a plane to India. Here he explains the thought process and the details of how this one-week expedition turned into six.

Getting incredible travel shots takes more planning than you might realize. You've got to know where to go and which locations will offer the best photo opportunities. Here Scott Stulberg explains how he plans ahead when it comes to scoping out the locations for his extraordinary travel shots.