We have had another great week in the field of photography, with artists and writers creating and sharing some great content for photography enthusiasts everywhere. This weeks list is full of tutorials, special features and great photography, with something here for everyone. We really hope you enjoy these links as much as the Toad did in creating and bringing this list to you.
TUTORIALS
Taking Control Of Auto Modes – almost everyone struggles with the technical aspects of photography when starting out, with many of the settings available on a modern camera resembling some form of voodoo magic. This article is posted here on Light Stalking, and it discusses some of the simpler ways you can begin to take control of your camera as you learn and grow in your craft, resulting in great shots and a better sense of confidence while you are shooting.
Natural Light vs Off Camera Flash: Two Photographers Shoot the Same Model – it’s great to be able to see side-by-side the differences that shooting in natural light versus off-camera flash has in the realm of portrait photography. Two photographers headed outdoors for this session, and each has come away with great shots done in two totally different styles. Which one do you prefer?
You can use these ten tricks to make food look fantastic in photos – learn the deep secrets from the pros who shoot the most mouth-watering food photography you’ve ever seen. The truth of the matter is that in almost all cases, the actual food being photographed is modified or affected in such a way that it is rendered inedible, yet the results on the screen say otherwise.
A Beginner’s Guide to Using Lens Flare Creatively in Photos – some shots work very well when lens flare is included in the composition, as it gives the image a summery and warm look that draws you into the picture. This short video tutorial takes us through how best to include this element in our work for the maximum effect.
Selective Color Effect in Adobe Lightroom – learn how to create a selective color image in this brief video tutorial that walks you through a very quick process of eliminating all colors from a photograph except for the one that you want featured.
How to Create Better Portraits for Instagram – Instagram is a very popular platform for sharing photographs these days, and this article discusses how to maximize your potential for getting noticed in the field of portrait photography. These tips are fairly straightforward to follow and a handful of sample shots are included to help illustrate the concepts shared.
Macro Photography: How to photograph Butterflies – capturing great shots of butterflies can be a tricky undertaking inasmuch as finding them and getting them to sit still while you setup is a challenge. This primer article covers a set of brief points that are sure to help you get a headstart as you head out to a local meadow and chase these beautiful little creatures around with your camera.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Photographer Spent 5 Years Capturing the Beauty of Decaying Buildings – for those who love the genre of photography centered around abandoned and weathered structures as much as I do, this is truly a must-see article this week. After having spent 5 years visiting countless countries and sites, this compilation of profound and poignant photographs shares glimpses into places that are likely to disappear too soon.
Amazing film captures biofluorescent turtles underwater at ISO 4.5 Million – as technology advances, things that were thought to be almost impossible just a few short years ago suddenly are a reality today. Check out this amazing special feature that showcases the images and the world that is available to photographers who are using the very latest low-light capable systems.
A Quick History of Color Photography (for Photographers) – the history of photography itself is utterly amazing for enthusiasts of the craft, and this article takes the topic one step further by investigating the story behind the advent of color photography. As the article unfolds, various period pieces are shared showing how the process moved along as the technology unfolded.
GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY
Bramante Staircase – Manjik photography takes us along to the Vatican where the incredible double helix staircase that is well known amongst architecture enthusiasts comes to life on our screens. The deep tones and contrasts exposed in this great shot show off the lines and geometry of this amazing structure in an elegant and beautiful manner.
The Vatican – this is another shot in this weeks list that features the epic double helix staircase in the Vatican, with this composition by Mindz.eye taking on a different perspective by using a vertical panorama format. The rich contrasts and tones found in this scene reveals the beautiful lines and geometries this architectural wonder exhibits.
Foggy Polar Bear – Ron Niebrugge shares a stunning shot of an early morning in the north where the fog diffuses the natural light and creates an ethereal atmosphere where a polar bear roams the landscape, creating a dramatic silhouette against the alien atmosphere. This is an amazing shot, full of profound artistic tension as the bear navigates a world that is undergoing morphesis due to climate change.
Sunset at The Empress – Jim Nix visits our humble part of the world where he takes in a wonderful sunset that bathes the front of the world-famous Empress Hotel in golden tones. This majestic, old hotel is well known for the character it adds to our city of Victoria, and Jim’s shot does a terrific job of capturing that in a frame.
Den Gamle By – stroll the ancient streets in Denmark in this shot from Ole Steffensen that feels like a painting. The old buildings are full of character here, perfectly captured in this frame, and the natural weathering from countless years of standing against the elements help to accent this feeling.
Trial Sunrise III – Trial Island juts out from the coastline in Victoria, British Columbia, creating a haven in the form of the Trial Islands Ecological Reserve for a local bird population. It also has a lighthouse on it, adding a great element of romance and visual intrigue against the backdrop of the ocean that encircles this wonderful city.
Bled – Morning Time – this breathtaking image is post-processed to highlight the painterly effect found in the warm tones of the natural light with the ancient monastery that sits on the tiny island in the middle of the lake adding context. Rossano Ferrari’s also features a gentle reflection in the lake’s waters, adding a perfect finishing touch to this composition.
Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – a sad history is captured in this black-and-white image by Michael Criswell who takes us outside of this rare old Kirkbride building, constructed in 1858 and widely believed to be one of the largest hand-cut stone masonry buildings in the United States. This incredible old building creates a dramatic presence, holding memories of those who experienced extended stays full of suffering.
Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam – the terraced rice fields of rural Viet Nam create twisting leading lines that guides the viewer into the frame where the beautiful surroundings of the region can be explored. Dale Johnson’s photograph does a perfect job of capturing the essence of the area, revealing a glimpse that could reach back into bygone eras.
misty mornin' at the marina . . . – we share another shot this week based on the scenes and vistas found on Vancouver Island, this one captured and shared by local photographer ƊƦคƓ๏ƝŦlץƊгєคɱʂ88. This photograph features a marina that has a soft covering of fog as a new day rises to greet the island.
Fogged – a thin veil of fog enshrouds the Canadian Rocky Mountains in the great landscape photograph from Greg Boratyn. As we peer through the fog we see the majestic mountains in the distance that create a dramatic silhouette against the natural beauty of the rich and dense forests that sit at the base of the peaks.
the chapel in the cathedral – sweeping lines and wonderful tones cast shadows to create depth and interest in the 800 year old architecture of this gorgeous chapel in Dublin, Ireland, shot and shared here by Frank King. This wonderful place exudes the hundreds of years of history that the walls and pillars hold as countless generations have worshipped here and enjoyed fellowship.
Forest road – autumn time in Bosnia finds us joining Mevludin Sejmenovic as we look down a gravel road framed by beautiful colors in the trees. The ribbon of road guides you into the heart of the frame where a vanishing point presents itself in the distance for a touch of artistic tension.
Late Night Lightning – lightning creates a terrific and dramatic element for storm chasing photographers to capture. This shot was taken by Scott Wood in Arizona while he was adventuring with friends during the active storm season, showing us all the power and fury that nature has in store for everyone who lives below the clouds on terra firma.
Follow Through – rich colors and tones pop to life in this amazing shot taken inside sandstone canyons by Peter Coskun Nature Photography. The shadows create a sense of texture and depth in this photograph, and the years of erosion give the scene a terrific sense of natural character.
Twister – Edith Levy visits the fabled canyons of Arizona that are world-famous for the shapes, textures and colors found in the natural formations as light dances off the ancient walls created naturally over time. This composition takes on the form of a tornado as the eye explores the wonderful details found in this frame.
The Edge of Truth – for everyone who loves dark and ethereal themed images, you won’t want to miss this one this week. This moody shot features a rugged set of cliffs that overlook the ocean below with a woman in a white gown looking out over the perch. Processed as a black-and-white shot, this image delivers all the drama possible in such a scene.
Waterfowl Lake – Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park, Alberta – Len Saltiel captures a stunning landscape shot of a still lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and finds himself at a loss of words to describe the shot in this post. Thankfully the natural beauty of the mountains accompanied by the mirror-like reflection in the lake speaks 1,000 words.
Welcome to my church – Martin Podt shares his vision of a church in Germany captured at the height of autumn to take advantage of the beautiful colors in the surrounding foliage of the trees. In the distance we also see dramatic mountains rising to meet the horizon for an added touch of perfection to this composition.
Grand Marais Light, Minnesota – Mark Paulson creates a terrific image with this composition that features a small lighthouse in silhouette against the vibrant colors of sunrise in the sky behind. This is a great shot, full of tranquility and wonder that draws the viewer into it for a retrospective moment.
2 Comments
Thanx for including one of my shots in this weeks list, Toad! As always, I very much enjoyed perusing your links today!
Many thanks for visiting and checking out this week’s list sher, we really appreciate that! Keep that shutter clicking, my friend!