HDR: Suggestions, Cool Accessory, Free Webinar, Discounts & Randy Van Duinen's HDR Exhibit

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There is a lot of talk on the internet about High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography – mostly about overdone HDR images vs. realistic HDR images.

Well, here's a thought: let the subject suggest the effect. Personally, I think landscapes and seascapes HDR images, such as my Maine lighthouse image, look nice with a realist effect, while some cityscapes, such as my '57 Chevy in Old Havana image, look nice with a more artistic or surrealist look.


Just something to think about. But as always, follow your heart.

If you are serious about HDR, check out the amazing
Promote Systems Promote Control, Remote Control for Digital SLR Cameras

Yes, it's a bit pricey, but it greatly simplifies – and speeds up – taking HDR sequences.

For more on HDR imaging, including discounts on certain HDR plug-ins and program, click here.

Hey, if you have an hour or so, check out my free webinar on Nik Software's HDR Efex Pro.

This just in! My friend, Randy Van Duinen, is having an exhibit of his HDR work. Info on his site.

Explore the light,
Rick


P.S. Usually, movement is an enemy of HDR imaging – but not when it comes to moving water, as illustrated by the image above. That goes for clouds, too.This is an HDR image of the New Croton Dam, one of the location shoots on my Croton Creative Workshops. If you sign up before January 31, you can save $100 using this code; CCW.






Random Find: James Brown

Every once in a while I come across a picture that I simply love - a picture that makes me say, "I wish I had taken that photograph."

Here's one such shot, taken by James Brown.

To enhance his image, James used the Color Efex Pro and Silver Efex Pro from Nik Software.

To see more of his work, click here.

Good work, James.

Explore the light, 
Rick 

P.S. You can save 15% on all Nik Software plug-ins by using this code upon checkout: RSAMMON.

Cool Stuff And Ideas for Making Cool Pictures in 2011

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Happy New Year Everyone!

I know you all want to make great pictures in 2011. Here's some stuff and a few ideas that can help you in your quest!


New Full Body Female Fiberglass Mannequin LM1D. 69.2" 37.7" 26.3" 34.6"
Hey, don't be a dummy when it comes to lighting - and don't waste the subject's time. Buy a mannequin for about $130 and practice different lighting techniques until you master each one . . well in advance of your shooting session. What's more, the mannequin will not complain when you adjust the lights a million times :-)

Lighting idea: Place a light behind the subject and point it toward the subject to light the hair (left), or place a light behind the subject and point it toward the background to light the background (middle). The middle photo is an example of what a "separation" light can do.

Rogue FlashBenders ROGUERELG Large Positionable Reflector
This handy accessory increases the size of the light source . . . and as we all know: the larger the light, the softer the light; the closer the light, the softer the light. If you are serious about your flash photography, don't leave home w/out a Rogue FlashBender.

Lighting idea: Fold the FlashBender in a tube-like fashion to direct the light on a targeted area of the subject. That's what I did for the top left mannequin photograph, targeting the light on the mannequin's hair . . . OK, wig :-)


Here are two shots I took on the show floor at Photo Plus Expo in NYC using a Rogue FlashBender on my Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras.


Speaking of flash photography, my #1 flash tip is: Take the darn flash off the camera! Once you do that, a whole new world of creative flash opportunities away you.
For Canon shooters, here is an accessory for off-camera flash photography:Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter for Canon 580EX II, 430EX, 430EX II Speedlites

Two accessories for all brands of camears:
Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver For Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras
and
PocketWizard MiniTT1 Radio Transmitter for Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras

Photographic Composition: A Visual Guide. Readers of my blog know that Dr. Richard Zakia is my photo hero. Read this book and you'll see why! Dick will show you a new way of seeing, for sure.

X-Rite ColorChecker Passport
Want accurate color? Check out ColorChecker Passport. This handy accessory, which is about the size of a passport, features color chart panels and a CD. You shoot the color chart in the lighting conditions in which you'll be working, pop the CD into your computer, open the ColorChecker Passport software and . . . voila! Getting images with accurate color is a snap.


Sun-Sniper Camera Strap
True story (just ask the folks who were on my Maine Media Workshop a few years back): One of my cameras fell in a quarry . . . because is slid off my shoulder. Simply put, that will never happen again, because I use the Sun-Sniper Camera Strap. If you shoot with two cameras as I always do, these straps will give you fast access to each camera.


Westcott 301 Photo Basics 40-Inch 5-in-1 Reflector
Seeing the light is of the utmost importance in photography. Knowing how to control the light is also key. If you are serious about taking people pictures, don't leave home without a reflector/diffuser kit. I certainly don't.

If you are not yet into HDR photography, check out Photomatix and HDR Efex Pro.

Photomatix. You can save 15% when you order Photomatix by using this code: ricksammon.

Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro. Save 15% if you use this code: RSAMMON upon check-out on the Nik web site. 

Like the artistic look in a photograph: Try Topaz Adjust. For my "Old Havana '57 Chevy" photograph, I used the Spicify Effect. Click here to order Topaz Adjust. Hey, save a bundle when you order a Topaz bundle.

Explore the light – and have a great 2011!
Rick