Monthly Archives: December 2011

Lightroom Tip: Perspective

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Michael Willems

When you aim your camera up, you get converging verticals – like this: You can use an expensive tilt-shift lens to fix that. But there is an easier way: in the Lightroom “Develop” module, find “Lens Corrections”, go to the … Continue reading →

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Shoot vertical!

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Michael Willems

Remember – a very very quick tip today – that when you shoot one or two people, it’s often best to shoot vertical. Turn your camera a quarter turn – shutter above, not below – and fill the frame, and … Continue reading →

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Posted in Composition | 2 Comments

Why aim back?

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Michael Willems

You remember the Willems 400-40-4 rule (the “444 rule”)? If not, check under “ARTICLES” above. Part of that rule: indoors, aim the flash 45 degrees behind you. Behind? Why? Of course the main reason is that this way, the light … Continue reading →

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Posted in Light, Technique | Tagged | Leave a comment

Another student question

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Michael Willems

Shannon asks: I really enjoy reading your blog, and I have a question/possible blog topic… I’m wondering how to deal with all the large raw files that I am uploading into lightroom. The other day, I had an alert come … Continue reading →

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Posted in Digital Darkroom | Tagged | Leave a comment

Recompose during events?

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Michael Willems

A students asks: What are your thoughts with focus and recompose when shooting events or portraits? Since it is very difficult to always move the single focus point, especially with event photography, I feel that sometimes focus and recompose is … Continue reading →

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Posted in Digital Darkroom | Leave a comment

On/off?

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Michael Willems

Quick note about turning your camera on and off. Don’t, not all the itme. Just let it time out and go to sleep.. It uses almost no power that way. And you don’t wear out the switch. Touch the shutter … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gear | 4 Comments

Why I shoot stills

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Michael Willems

I am sometimes asked “why don’t you shoot more video? Why stills? Video is much richer, no?” In my opinion: not necessarily so. First, there are the practical issues: Video is harder to shoot. You need more equipment (stabilizing rigs, audio … Continue reading →

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Posted in Picture of the day, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Michael Willems

To those of you who celebrate it: Merry Christmas. To those of you who celebrate Hanukkah: Happy Hanukkah. To those of you who celebrate yet other holidays: enjoy them. And to those of you who just like to have a … Continue reading →

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Posted in Picture of the day | 3 Comments

Open wide!

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Michael Willems

I mean – wide angle lenses are more useful than most people realize. As frequent readers here know, I do tend to say this over and over. And let me reiterate it here, again. Last week I shot an industrial food … Continue reading →

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Posted in Picture of the day, Technique | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Photograph your life this month!

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Michael Willems

Life is short, and precious; and photography is the one way we can commit today’s image, today’s person, to eternity. No-one can ever take today’s “you” away once you have a photo! So I urge you to take pictures – all … Continue reading →

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Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment