Monthly Archives: December 2010

Hood good

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Michael Willems

Always use a lens hood (the optional removable flange that sticks out on the front of your lens). Indoors, outdoors; day, night: always. The obvious reason is to decrease the kind of flare you see here, on the right: But … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gear | Tagged | 2 Comments

Simplify!

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Michael Willems

After yesterday’s long post, a few short ones. You will, I hope, bear with me and forgive. And – simple is good, since I am sure you are all preparing for New Year’s Eve. Simple is good – and in … Continue reading →

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Posted in Composition, Learning | Tagged | Leave a comment

TTL: 10 Problems, 20 Strategies

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Michael Willems

I shot an event yesterday that prompts me to give you some TTL management strategies. This is a long post – one that you may want to bookmark or even print and carry in your bag. TTL Management Strategies? Huh? … Continue reading →

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Posted in Learning, Light, Technique | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Prime primer

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Michael Willems

Why do I shoot events with a prime lens? My favourite lens is the 35mm f/1.4 lens on my full-frame camera. I like primes because they: Are often smaller and lighter than zoom lenses. Are generally sharper as well. Are … Continue reading →

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Posted in Composition, Gear | Tagged | 3 Comments

Of colour and curves

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Michael Willems

A few words, to reiterate a few useful concepts. Illustrated by a few snaps I took last night during a short walk (shot because it was bitterly cold). First, sunsets. As you also saw in yesterday’s evening picture, colours get … Continue reading →

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Posted in Composition, Light, Picture of the day | Leave a comment

Merry

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Michael Willems

..but cold. Can you see it’s cold? Why? Because it’s bright and snowy, and a little blue (“cold”, even in photographer’s terms – which by the way are opposite to physicist’s terms). Can you also see: Negative Space (much empty … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2010 by Michael Willems

To all my readers, a happy festive season! With lots and lots of cheer and (flash) photography.

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Lucky escape

Posted on December 25, 2010 by Michael Willems

These wild turkeys, which I photographed outside my window exactly a month ago, before the snow, are enjoying the land, oblivious to what is to happen to their cousins en masse, in a month’s time: Taken at 1/3200th sec at … Continue reading →

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Event lenses

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Michael Willems

What lens to use at an event? I hear this question all the time, and it is a good question.Especially with “events” happening all over, during the next week or so. In my upcoming “Events Photography” workshop I’ll talk about … Continue reading →

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Ways to think about ISO

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Michael Willems

ISO, sensitivity, gives you the ability to shoot at high shutter speeds, but at the expense of quality. It is therefore important to choose judiciously. Hence this post. There are several ways to think about ISO, and I thought I … Continue reading →

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Posted in Digital Darkroom, Learning | 6 Comments