Monthly Archives: April 2011

One more day…

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Michael Willems

…the computers are being hooked up again soon, and I expect by tomorrow this time my usual teaching posts will be able to continue. Until then, enjoy going out and shooting!

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Move

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Michael Willems

I am moving today from Mono to Oakville, ON. That means for once perhaps no post. Not that I would not love to write, but it looks likely that Internet connectivity may take a day to set up. In the … Continue reading →

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Colour space

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Michael Willems

I am often asked “should I use sRGB or AdobeRGB or some other colour space when I shoot a picture, or when I export a file?” Yes. To sRGB, that is. Choose sRGB in your camera, and choose sRGB when … Continue reading →

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How now, green screen?

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Michael Willems

Why do we use a “green screen” background to shoot subjects sometimes? Here’s why. The simple colour (usually a specific green, though it could be blue or some other colour) can be replaced easily by a new background. Say I … Continue reading →

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Posted in Picture of the day, Technique | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Making it seem easy.

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Michael Willems

A student wrote to me just now, about last Saturday’s workshop, “You and Joseph make it look so easy!”. He means things like turning this well-conceived but not-very well made available light snapshot…: …into this creatively lit art photo: That … Continue reading →

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In the eye of the…

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Michael Willems

Take a day outside. You want to shoot a snap of a pretty model. If you are Uncle Fred, you shoot in the “AUTO” mode. Or in Program, or even in Aperture mode, with a large aperture (low “F”-number), to … Continue reading →

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Posted in Learning, Light | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

What if there’s no wall?

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Michael Willems

I keep recommending that when you use TTL flash, you bounce it off walls or ceilings. So what if there is no wall or ceiling? Then you do the following. Ensure you expose the background well, with high ISO, open … Continue reading →

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Science or craft?

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Michael Willems

In response to my “quick portrait” instructions, a reader asks: What do you think about Strobist.com’s method where he recommends adjusting shutter for ambient and aperture for flash, by “chimping” (no light meter). Just interested in your response. As the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Light, Technique | 4 Comments

Effing!

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Michael Willems

F-numbers, that is. A post for beginners, today. About the “F”-number and why it is important. Very important. The most important number is the minimum f-number a lens can be set to. In other words, the maximum aperture, or lens … Continue reading →

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Beauty

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Michael Willems

I ran a little late the other day. Because when I woke up, I saw we had had freezing rain overnight. My last days in Mono are ever more beautiful. (You really have to see those at their original size … Continue reading →

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Posted in Picture of the day | 2 Comments