Monthly Archives: December 2009

The best camera…

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Michael Willems

…is the one you have on you. And it does not have to be an SLR with a 70-200 f/2.8 IS Lens, like this one I am carrying here in Sedona: Even the iPhone takes nice pictures. Even of my … Continue reading →

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More reliable PW connection

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Michael Willems

In my post earlier today I noted that Pocketwizards aren’t always reliable when they have a wire plugged into them. That, and you need to keep them away from 430EX flashes, and point the antenna on the receiving side the … Continue reading →

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Ceiling Cat, where art thou?

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Michael Willems

Actually, it was “Catnip, when do I get thee?” Two 250 Ws monolights, one each side 45 degrees up, and one 100Ws strobe with grid lighting up the background. Remember, studio flash shots are sharp shots.

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Pocketwoes

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Michael Willems

Nah, I exaggerate. Pocketwizards (specifically, the non-TTL model, namely the Pocketwizard II Plus, of which I own five) are great. But I do want to draw attention to two issues to watch out for. First: what am I doing. I … Continue reading →

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Juxtapositions

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Michael Willems

Are always good. And surprises. And reflections. And “filling the frame”. Or all four, like in this picture from Nov. 2, which although it doesn’t work very well at small size, does illustrate the point. Do you  like the CN … Continue reading →

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See

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Michael Willems

It is easy enough to think “there is no interest here”, “I need to be in Tahiti to take nice pictures”. Not so. You can take nice pictures everywhere, even of boring things around the house. Think long lens, or … Continue reading →

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Question of the day

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Michael Willems

A reminder that I welcome questions on photography. From pros or from beginners, or from anyone in between. I shall answer (it may be a while, but I promise I will). Here’s a recent question, answered belatedy: What do you … Continue reading →

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Question of the night

Posted on December 27, 2009 by Michael Willems

Reader BKKPhotographer asked: We’re having some lovely clear nights in Bangkok now it is the cool season. The moon often looks great but I have had limited success photographing it. Do you have any tips for good lunar photography? The … Continue reading →

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Posted in Learning | 19 Comments

Happy holidays

Posted on December 27, 2009 by Michael Willems

I just wanted to share a fabulous composite picture I just received from reader and student Ray. It’s so much fun I thought I should share it, and use it to wish you all the best of the season:

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Add a splash

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Michael Willems

I recommended recently that you might want to add a  splash of colour every now and then. So here’s an example. Our Christmas “tree”, lit with just a bounce flash. The background is exposed properly (I used -1.3 stops exposure … Continue reading →

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