Single-Serving Photo

The debate rages on concerning the best place to put “image stabilization” features. Is it within the lens housing, as Canon prefers; or is it within the camera body itself as Pentax, Panasonic, Sony, and others have adopted?

The big names in photography have evidently made their decisions, but photographers have their own opinions. As with most things in photography, if not in life, this decision is one with many trade-offs; if there was one completely correct answer, it would already be known.

Today I will dive into the briar patch and outline the pros and cons of both sides of the debate so that you can make a more fully informed decision about what equipment to buy. (more…)

Most (if not all) digital SLR cameras have a variety of “modes” that they can be operated in, such as Av, Tv, Portrait, and so on. To the novice it may seem as though some of the modes are redundant, and certainly to some degree that is true, but they all have their uses. Today I will attempt to demystify these modes and explain how to use them most effectively for the greatest creative impact. (more…)

As you have probably noticed by now, I’ve decided to place some of those Google text ads on my article pages. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking, and it’s something like, Great, now I have to wade through six feet of ads for genital cream before I get to the photos! So before you all jump ship, I want to assure you that I will never allow ads to move into a position that compromises the readability of my site.

Right now, ads are only appearing on the single article pages to allow Google’s AdSense thingy (that’s the technical term) to give you more relevant ads. The point, of course, is that hopefully there’ll be an ad for something that genuinely looks interesting and two things will happen: 1) you will find out more about it, and 2) I will get approximately a penny. But hey, one hundred of those and I can buy 1/3 of a gallon of gas, right?!

As always, I am open to feedback about this and all other changes to Single-Serving Photo. At the end of the day I’m providing a service to you, my readers, and so I must respect your opinions. At the same time, someone’s gotta pay all the virtual hosting bills!

I went back to Mohegan Park after being told that there was an “abandoned zoo” on the premises. I didn’t recall seeing what might pass as a zoo, but I had to go check it out anyway. As a bonus, it was a beautifully warm day and there can be no excuse for not going outside and enjoying it.

Prints Available—Click to Visit the Gallery

Prints Available—Click to Visit the Gallery

With these two, I was experimenting with the tip I gave you on Wednesday. I set my auto-focus point to the one on the far right, which at first can feel a bit strange, but it does force the composition to be somewhat more interesting.

The first one here is with the 24-70mm f/2.8 (at 70mm), and the second is using the Sigma 105mm macro (a very fine lens, if I do say so myself).

Prints Available—Click to Visit the Gallery

Prints Available—Click to Visit the Gallery

My approach to artistic photography is simply walking. I take out my camera, have it at the ready, and simply walk around a location of my choice. Photography is all about seeing. Once you start to develop your eye, you begin to see things around you as though they’re compositions; you become more aware of shapes, textures, contrasts, lines, and so forth. I would even go so far as to say that photography is one of the greatest ways to enhance your observational skills.

Sometimes, though, inspiration doesn’t come. That’s when a few little tricks can come in handy to help you see the world differently, or to add interest to otherwise mundane surroundings. These are just ideas; they won’t always work, and there’s no guarantee you’ll even like them, but here they are anyway, for your approval. (more…)