The Basics Archives

I used to live on a street called America Drive. It was completely nondescript and no more photogenic than any other suburban area (and probably less). Except one day, there were some shoes hanging from the street sign. It would have been a little cliche to take a photo, but it seemed so fitting to have a pair of sneakers dangling from a big “AMERICA” sign.

I never got it, though, because I never took the time. Yeah, that’s a lame reason, but you do it, too. And I still do. But I’m trying to work on it.

That’s why I try to snap things when I see them, like when I was in the kitchen last night and I liked the smiling food. It won’t ever wind up in a gallery, or even get published. Heck, it probably will barely get 50 views on Flickr. But I got it, and it’s good exercise to make yourself respond to your hunches and those ideas in the back of your head.

If you don’t, you never know when those shoes are going to get taken down. So to speak.

I love answering your questions. The above is one Kara asked me on Twitter. Curves can be used almost exclusively to tweak a photo to your desires, even including color correction. Used in combination with a “non-destructive” layers approach, it will give the ability to radically transform your work simply by learning a single tool.

Hey, come back here! It’s not hard at all.
Click here to get started!

My last big entry was about this shoot, and it’s an example of good timing and a simple image. We were running out of sunset, but still getting some beautiful color. Try taking your new camera outside at sunset, and prepare to be dazzled!

So, you got a camera for Christmas (or any other celebration, or maybe even your coinciding birthday). Congratulations! You now own a mobile art studio that presents endless opportunities. Photography is not hoodoo, but it is also something that can provide a lifetime of challenge. In between the extremes, you will find a wonderland of expression.

What might you encounter on your journey? Let’s take a peek: (more…)

Sunrise on concrete.

Sunset and sunrise offer such beautiful light. While they are not the only times of day you can shoot outside, they certainly offer a compelling pallet to work with. I captured previous sunset and sunrise in these unsuspecting images.
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Taken with a flipped lens. Click on the photo and read the caption to find out more!

Photographers should look deeper and consider the messages their work sends. What’s really there when you look at the photograph with fresh eyes? What is your vision, and how is the best way to capture it? Cast away fear, trends and anything else that clouds your vision. Techniques and equipment are merely tools for your expression.

Listening: Gileah and the Ghost Train