Klass Photography Article Archive
Organizing Your Images
Organizing your digital photographs is the first step to creating a simple and sound workflow. This article examines some of the easy ways I organize my images, and provides suggestions for ways that may make sense for others to organize their images. By creating a logical order for your digital files, you can simplify every step of the process, from loading in your images, to finding the final versions of your files.
Photo Destination: Voyageurs NP, Minnesota
This destination article highlights one of my favorite photo locations, Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota. Without the crowds of some of the more popular parks, Voyageurs has great opportunities for landscape, wildlife, and macro photography. The shorelines are made up of some of the oldest exposed rock in the world, and eagles and loons are easily seen in the many coves.
Having lived there as part of the National Park Service's Artist-in-Residence program, I was able to spend a month exploring the many islands that make up this water-based wonderland. Voyageurs is perhaps one of the least known parks, and because of that, it is one of the nest kept photo-locations out there. If you enjoy paddling a canoe or kayak, or cruising on a houseboat, this park is a must-see.
Creating Time Lapse Videos
For this month's digital techniques side, we'll explore creative time lapse videos with your still camera. While it might seem like you would need one of those new digital SLRs with the video option - you don't. The most effective way to create a time lapse video is using a still camera, and the interval shutter option that many SLRs offer.
Basically the camera takes one image every couple of seconds for several minutes or even hours. These images are then loaded by the computer in a video clip. The results are really interesting, as time is sped up tremendously. I think you'll find that time lapse video can be a fun and creative tool to see events that happen over the course of hours - compressed into just a few seconds.
I posted a sample video here.
On Assignment in Maine
Last month one of the newsletter articles talked about an assignment to develop creativity. It outlined a simple one-hour shoot with a single focal length lens. For this month's creativity article, I thought I would try the assignment for myself while on location in Maine.
Sarina Cook emailed me to suggest a 300mm lens, so I was limited to that focal length for the assignment. Though conditions weren't ideal, the assignment was a good exercise in making the most of what you're handed. The article includes my thoughts on the assignment, and some images from the shoot.
High Dynamic Range HDR Photography
HDR - Which stands for High Dynamic Range is a fantastic tool that allows photographers to capture detail beyond the capability of their camera's sensor. It is a combination of field technique and digital technique to create images that can look realistic or artistically illustrative.
This article looks at how to capture the images in the field for an HDR merge and how to use Photomatix Pro to process the images for your desired look. The beauty of the process here is that with this new software option, HDR images have become much easier to achieve. It is really a matter of a few sliders, and once you master them, you'll never shy away from photographing in the midday sun.
Within a Days Drive
So often we think of nature photography happening in those far away places. We tell ourselves that we'll take our best pictures when National Geographic sends us on a 3 month safari, or when we finally get time to rent a boat on Alaska's inside passage.
Nature is all around us, and though African Safaris and Alaskan Wildlife are things everyone should see in their lifetime, certainly they are no reason to miss the everyday beauty within a days drive.
This article is about one of the most overlooked locations - home - or rather locations within a days drive. I've brought some creative ideas and concepts along with some photography from my home to inspire you to focus on photography where you live.
Focus on Creativity: Developing New Perspectives
As creative individuals, we sometimes get caught up in making images that we know are going to work, rather than taking that big chance. I know when I first happen upon a new scene, I tend to start with what I know works - compositions I've been successful with in the past. This article is all about how we can move beyond this safety zone, and push ourselves to explore deeper. I offer you advice, and a creative assignment to help you transform your photography.
Photographing in a Digital World
This article addresses the very way photography has changed since digital began. I highlight many of the ways that I have changed my work in the field to reflect the easiest, best way to accomplish certain photographs.
Techniques like panoramas and high dynamic range images require us to shoot differently - this article explains how to make the most of your digital images.
Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier
A photography essay about photographing in Washington's most beautiful locations. From late summer wildflowers to beautiful rainforest scenes, these two parks encompass an incredible diversity of subjects and photographic possibilities.
From Levels to Curves
If you're a photographer ready to make the jump from levels to curves, don't miss this article that explains in simple terms how to take advantage of curves, while building on your knowledge of levels. You'll be amazed at the power and versatility Curves offers.