Camera Stupid Podcast Q&A

In this episode of the podcast I take your photography related questions.

This week:

• My three favorite lenses and why
• Investing in Off Camer Flash
• How to Photograph Animals

The Ultimate Timelapse Guide

Even with the onslaught of motion controlled timelapse videos that have become a popular trend in the last few years, there is something about watching ordinary traffic, growing plants, or stary landscapes sped up and matched to music that just never gets old.

Nondestructive Dodge and Burn in Photoshop

Dodging and burning an image is a common technique that can add contrast to the highlights and shadows and provide a certain “commercial” look to a portrait. In this episode I show you how to use photoshop to doge and burn an image in a non-destructive way.

 

Avoiding Phantom Quadcopter (Drone) Crashes and Flyaways

One of the reasons I love photography is that it allows for exploration into a vast world of image creation. There are many facets of photography that I love, but one of my favorites is Aerial Photography.

10 Tips for Better Candid Photos

In this episode of the Camera Stupid podcast I go over 10 tips for taking better candid photos as well as answer two photography questions:

1. How do I make water look nice and smooth?

2. How do I change the lens on my DSLR without damaging it?

 

 

Adding Textures & Glows to your Photographs in Photoshop

Special Effects

Photoshop makes it simple to add texture, glow, or imperfections to our digital photographs. Why would you do this? Some photographic subjects lend themselves to various special effects or enhancements. Photographs of old building like the one I took in Prague, Czech Republic above can be made to feel older with a subtle paper texture added. The emotion and mood of the performer in the image below can be enhanced with a bokeh color glow. As with any art form, how far to take these effects is completely subjective. I tend to prefer a more subtle approach.

How to use the Adjustment Brush in Adobe Lightroom

Here’s a quick video tip that shows how the Adjustment Brush in Adobe Lightroom can be a quick and powerful tool in post processing your digital photographs.

Introductions and Call for Feedback

This is the first audio-only episode of the Camera Stupid Podcast. Subscribe on iTunes here. I’ll be doing short video tutorial and tips episodes on a regular basis. I think video lends itself to better communicating many of the visual concepts of photography. I will also be doing a audio-only episodes, but these will mostly follow a question and answer format or will consist of an interview with someone related to the photography industry.

In this episode, I introduce myself and my wife and give a little background in our journey in learning photography. I also make a call for feedback on the podcast and the Camera Stupid Website. If you have feedback or would like me to write about a certain topic, please contact me using one of the following methods:

Simulate a Sunny Day – Backlight an Outdoor Portrait with Flash

I was on assignment shooting video and still photography last week in Alaska. As is common in Alaska, the weather was always changing and unpredictable. We set out on day one hoping we’d get enough of a break in the wind and rain that we could create some image of our model collecting wild blueberries. It can be nice to photograph while it is overcast as the light and shadows are soft and flattering. I decided to try and simulate some sun backlighting the leaves and our model so I setup a speedlight on the ground behind the subject.

Smoothing a White Backdrop in Photoshop

Sometimes when photographing a subject on a white seamless paper backdrop or fabric drop cloth, wrinkles can show up and cause an eyesore. I’ve attempted many different techniques for smoothing, smudging or doge & burning out those wrinkles but the frequency separation method I show in this video seems to work the best.

You can download the frequency separation Photoshop action I use in the video herehttps://camerastupid.leadpages.co/leadbox-954.js.