This week's blog is devoted to SLR tips - in honor of the Wiley DVD (available this fall) that I am currently shooting on the new Canon Rebel T1i . All the photos were and will be taken with that camera. It's a also to celebrate my new SLR classes on Kelbytraining.com (available now).

Well, my “student,” Jen Maihack, on the DVD has flown the coup – back to Florida! She did an great job, playing the part of the student very well, especially because she is a pro photographer herself.

Thanks Jen. Great work!

Speaking of great work, our creative director, David Leveen, actually shot a few HD video segments with the T1i. We'll post some soon.

So what’s the tip for this installment of SLR Snapshots to Great Shots? Here goes:

When You Plan on Taking Outdoors Portraits,
Pray for an Overcast Sky

During a shoot at Bear Mountain State Park, one segment was devoted to shooting portraits. Thankfully, the sky was overcast, as you can see in the top right of the frame in my vertical picture on the right.

An overcast sky produces soft, pleasing flattering light – unlike the harsh light we get on sunny days.

If it is sunny, try to shoot in the shade or use a diffuser to soften the light. Shooting before sunrise and after sunset works, too.

Explore the Light,
Rick
P.S. If you like the image on the left better than the picture on the right, let me know here. I’ll share the technique.