Technique
Advanced Photography Techniques
Photo pros rely on our magazine to cover the most advanced digital photography techniques in-depth. From color calibration to file formats and everything in between, you can count on the technique advice from our digital photo experts.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007Printer ShotWhen Epson approached Jeff Schewe to photograph their latest professional printer, they wanted something different This story started last spring when I received a phone call from Dan (aka Dano, as in “Book 'em, Dano”) Steinhardt from Epson, asking me if I might be interested in doing a shot for Epson. At the time, he was his usual circumspect self, hinting that the “thing” I might be shooting was bigger than a breadbox and would sit on a desk—yeah, like I didn't assume it was a printer—but he steadfastly refused to allow the discussion to progress to further speculation on my part. I said yes. |
Tuesday, May 29, 2007SynergizeBy using the inherent capabilities in your image-processing software, you can work efficiently and exercise greater control over all of your images. H.G. Wells once said, “Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature's inexorable imperative.” Sounds pretty harsh, but many would say it's reality. To meet this imperative, today's photography adapts with digital innovation and imagination and addresses the restraints of time and knowledge. |
Tuesday, May 29, 2007Use Custom Functions To Personalize Your D-SLRDiscover how custom functions can improve the way you produce images The ability to customize a professional digital SLR is likely both the best and most underused feature you'll find in today's cameras. With dozens of user-adjustable controls for focus, metering and more, these cameras offer great adaptability. But learning how and when to use these settings, particularly in combination with each other, is often a challenge for photographers who are busy creating images to make a living. |
Tuesday, May 29, 2007The Really Wide ViewPanoramas are hot with a lot of clients right now, but shooting them well takes specialized skill and attention to detail Panoramas are in these days. The ultra-wide look seems to have a certain cache among clients looking for a new and different perspective. Like them or love them, you might get a call to produce one, and if you do, you'll want to be sure you know how to do it right. |
Friday, May 25, 2007An Argument For Color ManagementIt's not sexy or exciting, but calibrating your full image workflow is just about guaranteed to get you better results If you've set up your digital workflow to be completely color-managed, congratulations! You understand exactly why it's important. If you haven't calibrated your gear because you don't think you need to do it, that's because you haven't calibrated. Confused? It'll all become clear—but only after you calibrate. |
Friday, May 25, 2007B&W Comes Of AgeThere has been a paradigm shift in what photographers can do with black-and-white imagery. Digital tools and capabilities have opened the medium to new possibilities. One of the major paradigm shifts presented by digital imaging is that you can start and finish with any media, analog or digital. When it comes to input, you have two choices: analog film or digital capture. Within each of these choices you have two more choices: black-and-white or color. Read More... |
Friday, May 25, 2007Perfect LightGet creative with your lighting technique with some inspiration from these case studies by a master of illumination To me, lighting is the most important tool for creative photography. It's followed far behind by focal length, aperture and so on. Too many photographers approach the same “problem” with the same technique—and always get the same result. |
Wednesday, May 23, 2007Digital ISO SpeedsJust Like Film Speeds, But Different Every photographer is familiar with ISO speeds, those numbers we dial into our exposure meters and cameras so they can lead us—albeit, sometimes somewhat circuitously—to properly exposed images. Most films have ISO speeds, and digital cameras have ISO equivalents. Actually, the digital figures are ISO speeds, too: Like ISO film speeds, they're assigned based on standards issued by the International Organization for Standardization. |
Wednesday, May 23, 2007Basic Portrait PolishingSimple retouching steps help the client concentrate on the concept of the shot instead of the odd insignificant blemish When I finish a portrait photo shoot, all of the images are in a state that I consider not ready for sharing. At this stage, I'm only willing to show thumbnails to the client for reviewing composition and the general look. Before a full-sized image goes out for review, I give the photo some basic polish, or toning. |
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Contender: Alexander Hankoff
Seizure -
Contender: Sam Li
Youth -
Contender: Alex Ander
Excuse Me, Father -
Contender: Andy Jarosz
Still Stories -
Contender: Woodruff Laputka
Picture Book III -
Contender: Rei Kroi
Unfolded -
Contender: Eric Hines
Cityscape Chicago -
Contender: Alex Ander
Kinetic Photography -
Contender: Maya Ragazzo
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