So you got or gave a camera as a holiday gift. Now what?

Photograph © Rick Sammon

This post originally appeared on my blog back around Christmas time. It was a popular post so I thought I'd share it again!

If you got or gave a camera as a holiday gift, here are some ideas to help you or photo buddy get the most of that box of metal, plastic and glass.

Save on plug-ins - create HDR images (like the one above) and enhance all your pictures with plug-ins.

Tough Love Portfolio Reviews - I give honest photo and business advice. 

HDR Photograph © Rick Sammon

Learn about HDR, composition, lighting, travel/widlife photography and more on my 2012 digital photography workshops. Great fun, too!

Photograph © Rick Sammon.

Master composition with my latest Kelby Training class: Composition - the strongest way of seeing. More than 1,300 folks have seen the class in the past two week. Join the crowd.

iPad and iPhone apps - give an iTunes Gift Card for my app, which cover travel, people, lighting, HDR and more. 

Travel and Nature Photography A-Z e-book - make better pictures on the road.

Canon Digital SLR lessons - get the most out of your camera.

Enter the world of HD SLR video - Juan Pons and I show you how to get started with shooting HD videos with your 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.

Get great portraits with my light controller kit and tote.

Above: That's me with my Lowepro DryZone backpack. You can save 20 percent on any Lowpro bag by clicking here and using this code: LP20.

Happy Holidays!

Explore the light,

Rick 

Two Essential Filters for Outdoor Photographers

Photograph © Rick Sammon

Two filters are essential for outdoor photography.

A polarizing filter reduces reflections on water, glass and ice. It can even make your pictures look sharper because it reduces reflections on atmospheric haze.

Polarizing filter tip: Don't over-polarize a scene. If you "dial in" too much of the polarizing effect, you may get a large dark spot in the center of your frame.

Photograph © Rick Sammon

A variable neutral density (ND) filter reduces the amount of light entering your lens, allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds to blur water on bright, sunny days.

ND filter tip: Experiment with different shutter speeds to get just the right degree of water movement.  

These filters are a must for those participating in my Oregon Coast workshop with Alex Morley.

Explore the light,
Rick

People Pictures Are The Focus of My Panama Workshop

© Rick Sammon

If you like travel photography – especially people photography – you'll enjoy my upcoming Panama workshop, March 3 to 6, 2012.

Joining me as co-leader will be my friend and professional photographer Tito Herrera.

I'll be giving a one-day seminar in Panama City on March 3rd. Then next day we fly to Kuna Yala for the two-day workshop.

© Marco Sammon

I'll show the small group (max 16) how to make nice portraits as well as environmental portraits.

© Rick Sammon

Tito and I had a fun group in 2011, and we expect this year's group to have just as much fun!

If you'd like to participate in this workshop, shoot me an email.

Explore the light,
Rick


P.S. If you can't make the workshop, check out my lighting gear on my Gear page. Also check out my post on Plug-ins for Portraits.

Elephants in the Mist

Photograph © Judith Monteferrante

My friend Judith Monteferrante just sent this to me. Enjoy.

I explored South Africa for 12 days while at Kirkman’s Camp in the Sabi Sands area near Kruger National Park.  I went out shooting before dawn every day while the mist lingered from the night’s cooler air and again late into dusk. One morning, a group of elephants appeared out of this mist walking down a wide path, appearing like an apparition at dawn. The light was challenging but magical. 

I call this image, "Elephants in the Mist."

• • • 

Judith's contact info:

Judith@judithmphotography.com

Website: judithmphotography.com

Portrait work only at: swansongart.com

flickr.com/photos/judithmonteferrante

facebook.com/JudithMPhotography

twitter: @drjmonte

judithmphotography.blogspot.com

Who Are Your Photographer Heroes?

I first published this post in January 2011. As the new year begins, I thought it would be a good idea to repost it - and ask you: Who are your photographer heroes?

Back in 1979, when I was the editor of Studio Photography magazine, one of my heroes was Alfred Eisenstaedt. The man was amazing, as a photographer and as a human being. His work still inspires me today.

I had the opportunity to attend and photograph Eisie's 80th birthday party. I also had the wonderful opportunity to interview the master. I still have the issue in which my interview ran.

Back in the late '70s, I also had the wonderful opportunity to interview many of the other photographer greats of the time, including Arthur Rothstein, one of the most well-known and respected FSA photographers.

Rick and Rothstein,1979.

Look up FSA if you are too young to know what FSA means. 

Another favorite was Andreas Feininger.

I also interviewed now fellow Canon Explorers of Light Harry Benson and Robert Farber. (Yes! We have been around and have known each other for more than 30 years!)

Man o man. Do you know what an honor it is to have known and know these pros?

I still enjoy - very much so - interviewing pros for the DEP podcast that I do with Juan Pons.

I think we all need heroes in our lives - photographer heroes who inspire and motive us.

Who are your heroes? Post your heroes in the Comments section here on my blog, rather than on twitter and facebook. Easier for others to see all in once place.

Back in 1979, I used my Canon Vt to photograph Eisie's B-Day party. I still have it, but now use my Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 7D.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. I am now planning Sammon at 70. Ten years away, but I do like to plan ahead.