Instructor's Tip: Patterns

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.


Photo by Russ Burden

PATTERNS
All too often, photographers develop a sense of tunnel vision determined by the destination to where they’re bound. Depending upon the location, the overall big picture gets locked into the mind and no thinking outside the box occurs. For example, a trip to an exotic foreign locale is planned. Visions of the sweeping countryside, people and their culture, big cities and the main tourist attractions become the focal points. With the preconceived notion and desire to come home with these images, ways of looking at other potential subjects are passed over.

Take for example a trip to Paris. High on any photographer’s list would be a great shot of the Eiffel Tower. Even amongst all the other structures of the Paris skyline, the Tower beckons to be photographed. Photographing it in its entirety is fine but often nets a cliched image. By isolating sections, juxtaposing other buildings against it or finding dramatic pieces within, different and maybe even better images can be made.

Interesting patterns are everywhere. From the sides of a building to the bark of a tree, patterns can be extracted from a multitude of subjects. Whenever like colors, shapes, lines or textures are repeated in specific intervals, the potential to make successful pattern photographs is there.

When searching out patterns, try to look for a composition where a single element breaks it up yet doesn’t interfere with its integrity. This creates a focal point for the eye while it simultaneously makes a stronger image. Try placing this element in an area one third in from the left, right, top or bottom of the frame. It will add intrigue and interest to the photograph.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Check out Burden's "How To Tips" featured on Outdoor Photographer's website. The seven that are dated February 4th are his. Just underneath the articles, be sure to click on page 1 to see an additional 9.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Burden's most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

To learn more about this subject, join Burden on one of his photo tours.

Breaking News: Vote to win this month's free photo session!

One lucky studio fan can win this month's free two hour photo session! All it will take is one vote to be eligible! Cast a $1 vote for my entry in the North America's Cutest Family Photo Contest, email me your receipt after you vote at photos@pictureyourworld.net and get your name into the drawing for the free shoot.

It's that easy!

The more times you vote, the more chances you have to win the session. For example, if you donate $5 (or five votes), your name goes into the hat five times, making it five times more likely that I will pull you name and you will win!

You have until April 7 at midnight MST to cast your vote for The Ryan Family in the 2010 Sandy Puc International Charity Model Search benefitting Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.



This family portrait contest entry has been accepted into the 2010 Sandy Puc International Charity Model Search for North America's Cutest Family!

But a free photo session isn't the only thing you could win! You could win a new car and I could win an amazing new camera!

Only the family with the most votes from each city will make it into the final round of voting for North America's Cutest Family!

Grand Prize winners in the contest will win:

First Place: A 2010 Hyundai Accent (metallic silver), 4 door sedan, automatic transmission, with air conditioning and valued at $15,460.00. A new Canon camera, a $50 gift certificate to J Crew and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer.

Second Place: A new Canon camera and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer

Third Place: A new Canon camera and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer.

So vote now!

To vote go to the website, and click on the gallery link. The first page will show the top 3 families, click on the link at the bottom of the page to enter the gallery.

From here, you and those you know can search for The Ryan family in Denver. Once you click in the image, there is a blue button that says "Vote." Click here to vote!

Each vote is a dollar, and all proceeds benefit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Remember, send me email confirming your voting receipt and you will be entered into this month's drawing for a free two hour photo session!

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

STILL NEED YOUR VOTES for North America's Cutest Family Contest

Thank you to all families who are participating in The 2010 International Charity Model Search! We appreciate your support of the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.

Just a reminder ~ VOTING ENDS APRIL 8, 2010 at Midnight MDT!!
Remember, all proceeds from votes benefit NILMDTS. Help my studio, Picture Your World Photography, make it into the final round by voting for The Ryan Family for North America's Cutest Family!



This family portrait contest entry has been accepted into the 2010 Sandy Puc International Charity Model Search for North America's Cutest Family!

Here's the link to my client's entry.

Only the family with the most votes in each city will move into the final judging round. Here are the grand prizes:

First Place: A 2010 Hyundai Accent (metallic silver), 4 door sedan, automatic transmission, with air conditioning and valued at $15,460.00. A new Canon camera, a $50 gift certificate to J Crew and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer.

Second Place: A new Canon camera and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer

Third Place: A new Canon camera and a limited edition numbered and signed photo art print from a renowned photographer

Additionally, each city finalist will receive a photo art print by a renowned photographer.

To vote go to the website, and click on the gallery link. The first page will show the top 3 families, click on the link at the bottom of the page to enter the gallery.

From here, you and those you know can search for The Ryan Family in Denver. Once you click in the image, there is a blue button that says "Vote." Click here to vote!

Each vote is a dollar, and all proceeds benefit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Please encourage your families and friends to vote for you!

Get Connected: Wedding vendor features my photos on their website!

I got a great call yesterday! Elisabeth Montoya, owner of the Bella Sera Event Center in Brighton, will feature several of my shots from Patience and Jack's wedding on its newly designed website! Three photographer assistants and I shot the couple's wedding at the center in January. I blogged about how fantastic the Bella Sera was, virtually overflowing with great shot opportunities to showcase a wedding and reception. The wedding was amazing and was very easy to shoot because of its wealth of unforgettable characters and special moments. From traditional African dances to adorable flower girls, this wedding had it all!









Elisabeth would like to feature a collage of her favorite images from the wedding on her site, which is in the process of being redeveloped. She chose 58 photos, including her personal favs as well as others she believed best represented the couples story and showcased the event center. Several of her favs are shown here in this blog post. It's not clear how many of those will appear on the website once her developer gets ahold of them, but my photos coupled with my business logo, links and contact information will be a great marketing tool to hopefully help me secure more weddings at Bella Sera.











Even though the center only has two preferred photography vendors, Elisabeth's referrals of other photographers she's worked well with is exactly the kind of reassurances taxed brides- and husbands-to-be rely on when they need help choosing vendors. Elisabeth's knows what photographic styles will fit with her clients' needs. Plus, her large photo album showcasing 12x12 prints of different photographers' work from various events held at the center helps get even more business for the vendors she partners with. Referrals continue to be my studio's best source of advertising and securing new clients. Elisabeth's willingness to help my studio as well as other wedding vendors' businesses grow is amazing and truly sincere. It's connections like these that help businesses thrive. Thank you Elisabeth for this wonderful opportunity for my studio and thank you Heather, Susan and Jamie for your fantastic work! Couldn't have done it with out you fabulous ladies!

Instructor's Tip: Depth of Field Basics, Part 2

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

Photo by Russ Burden

Depth Of Field Basics - Part 2
Controlling the Depth of Field: With regards to focal length, the wider the angle of the lens, the more inherent depth of field it will produce. If the goal is to create images with lots of depth of field, stick with wider lenses. Conversely, as one progresses from medium to long telephotos, the depth of field becomes more and more narrow. This is why many landscapes are made with wide angle lenses and portraits are made with medium telephotos. Once you get to 300mm and greater, depth of field becomes very narrow and careful placement of the focusing sensor over the area of the subject that is most important is critical.


The last two factors that impact the range of sharpness both deal with distance. The closer you get to your subject, the more the background and foreground fall out of focus. This happens because the lens has to focus closer to its closest focus point which translates to distant elements falling out of the range of focus. The same principal holds true given the relationship of the distance of the subject from the background. If the subject and background are close to each other, then the proximity of all elements is such that most everything is sharp. Conversely, if the subject is moved far away from the background, the lens isn’t able to sharply render both the subject and the background which is far away. Both of these effects are enhanced using a telephoto lens with a low number f stop and both are reduced using a wide angle lens at a large number opening.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Check out Burden's "How To Tips" featured on Outdoor Photographer's website. The seven that are dated February 4th are his. Just underneath the articles, be sure to click on page 1 to see an additional 9.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Burden's most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

To learn more about this subject, join Burden on one of his photo tours.

Get the Job Done: Two NBS galleries posted

Did you attend an National Brotherhood of Skiers 2010 AMCC Summit Happy Hour or the Pajama Party? Check out photos from those two events now. Two new galleries of images have been posted on the Picture Your World Photography website.

To purchase a photo, click the BUY tab on the upper right hand corner of each individually displayed photo.
Choose either to buy "This Photo," or "Photos in this gallery" or "Package from this Pro."
Choose prints, merchandise or digital downloads placed directly on your computer for you to print or share yourself.

Pajama Party Gallery
Password: Winter Park




Happy Hour
Password: Winter Park



Use this special event link to check page when photos are posted from the Picnice on the Hill, Challenge Cup Race Winners, the Comedy Show and other summit events.