Exposing For the Highlights is For the Birds!

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Take a look at the leading edge of the bird's wings in these two versions of the same image.

Bottom image: leading edge is overexposed. Top image: ahhhh, that's more like it!

I simulated the overexposed highlights in the bottom iamge to illustrate what will probably happen if you shoot in an automatic mode w/out any exposure compensation in a situation like this one - where you have a small area that is brighter than most of the scene.

The solution: set your exposure compensation to – 1/2 (for starters) and shoot RAW. With RAW files, you can recover areas that are overexposed up to about one stop.

Just added (because I was reminded of the point by reader Scott Thomas - who probably does not have jet lag as I currently do): Always check your histogram and overexposure warning on your camera's LCD monitor).

Explore the Light,
Rick

Create The Salvador Dali and Fish-Eye Lens Effect with Your iPhone

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Want to create an artistic image with your iPhone camera – the kind of image ("melting" subjects) that perhaps Salvador Dali would have created had he had an iPhone?

Want to create the full-frame fish-eye lens effect (curved lines in an image when you tilt the camera up or down)?

It's easy and fun! For only $49.95 you can download my iPhone Rockin' Rick Rotating Camera Effect App and awaken the artist within.

Or, you can simply rotate the camera (kinda quickly) while you are taking a picture - which is what I did for the two pictures you see here. :-)

Seriously, if you know of any cool photo Apps for the iPhone and want to share them with readers of this blog, please reply to this post.

Explore the Light,
Rick

P.S. Okay, enough silliness! Here is some cool info on the iPhone from my friend Juan Pons.

Did you know that when you send a photo you took with the iPhone as an email attachment from your iPhone, the size of the file that gets sent is much smaller than the original image stored on your iPhone?

When you send your friend that great photo you just took, the iPhone sends a much smaller version to save on the data that is transmitted. For example, the iPhone 3GS has a 3 MegaPixel camera and the files that it creates are 1536x2048, however when you attach that photo to an email your friend only gets a photo that is a measly 600x800. Great for viewing on an email, but usually not big enough to be a good desktop image on your computer.

The same goes for videos, if you email or post to YouTube the videos you took with that iPhone 3GS they are compressed and and don't look nearly as good as the original full sized files.

How do you get large original photos and videos out of your iPhone? Connect your iPhone to your computer and download the original files using iPhoto or similar software. You will be amazed how much better those photos and videos look. 

7D Photo. 7D Rocks!!!

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Amazing! These mangoes rock!

What? You were expecting to see some images from the new Canon 7D? Well, stay tuned. Soon come.

In the meantime, chew on a few 7D mangoes.

Also in the meantime, check out Planet 5D for cool and must-know info on the 7D and 5D Mark II.

Explore the Light,
Rick
P.S. Sorry, I just could not resist.

Most Important iPhone Photo Tip

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Here's my most important iPhone photo tip: always be on the lookout for cool pictures - the iPhone is amazing . . . and amazingly fun!

Okay... here are some more tips:

The name of the game is to fill the frame.

Try not to shoot into the sun, unless you are photographing a sunrise or sunset - or want a silhouette.

Press the shutter button very gently.

Back light, shoot tight.

With people, see eye to eye.

Keep the horizon line level - and don't place it in the center of the frame.

Use a foreground element (uh, maybe a seagull) to add a sense of depth to a photo.

Play with your image in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements or iPhoto. Many iPhone photos can use a slight boost in contrast. I boosted the color and contrast of this photo, taken today in Morro Bay, CA, with the Mild Color Pop filter in Topaz Adjust (Topaz link on the bottom of this page).

I am in the Morro Bay area planning 2010 projects with my friends Hal and Victoria from the Light Photographic Institute.

Any iPhone photo tips are welcome on this blog.

Explore the Light,
Rick
P.S. Here is another iPhone photo tip: Rotate the camera while taking a photo. The results can be surprising - and quite cool.

Aerial Photo Tips


:-(

Yesterday was my last day at the Maui Photo Festival. Great fun. Great attendees. Great instructors. Great photo opportunities.

A few of us took a chopper ride around the island. Spectacular!

Here are some tips if you ever find yourself in a high-flying situation.

Only one lens? Bring a 24-105mm zoom.

Don't forget your polarizing filter.

Use the Shutter Priority Mode and set the shutter speed to 500th of a second - at least.

Don't let any part of your upper body touch any part of the plane.

Use IS or VR lenses.

Use rapid frame advance.

Keep the horizon line level.

Try not to shoot into the sun.

Beg to have the doors off!!!

If it's cloudy and your pictures lack contrast, as mind did, boost the contrast using Levels or Curves in Photoshop.

If you are in a commercial plane, cup your hand around the lens and hold your hand close to the window to reduce reflections. Wearing a black shirt also helps to reduce window reflections

Explore the light,
Rick
P.S. Hope you can make it to the Maui Photo Festival in 2010. I'll be there . . . in the air, on the beach, in a presentation room, teaching a workshop, or at the bar!