Monthly Archives: April 2012

Before and After: Why we use light

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Michael Willems

The following shots of yesterday’s student are a good example of why we use flash to create dramatic portraits outdoors, on a sunny day. Say you take a snapshot, in automatic mode, of a person on a sunny day around … Continue reading →

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Focus: Help is Nigh

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Michael Willems

When you cannot focus, you cannot take a picture. And to focus, you need A subject (lines/contrast) Enough distance (depending on your lens( Enough Light There is often insufficient light. And that can make focusing very difficult. One thing that … Continue reading →

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Flash 101 reminder

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Michael Willems

There are two ways to use flash. Always keep that in mind, because you decide which one it is for any given shot. 2. Flash as the only light source. You would do this in a studio setting. If you want this, … Continue reading →

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See me in action… a free lecture

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Michael Willems

Alas, I am not talking at the Exposure show this year, for the first time in many years. But to compensate, you can watch a lecture I gave at last year’s show! Go here and watch – 41 minutes – … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gear, Learning | 2 Comments

On the shoulders of giants

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Michael Willems

When people ask me “how do I learn portraiture and composition”, I always have a simple answer. Study what others have done. In particular, study classical painters. Go to an art museum! Look at the work of Rembrandt and Vermeer. … Continue reading →

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Sin against the rules?

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Michael Willems

Two questions. First: Can you shoot an aquarium whose glass is dirty? Like this? Furthermore, can you do that using a wide angle lens instead of a macro lens? And when there is little light? At high ISO? Surely not. … Continue reading →

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Why I teach…

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Michael Willems

…because students learn. From earlier this week: Wherever you do it, get some training: the term “leverage”, although an ugly word, does apply here. A few hours teaches you more than years opf reading books will do.    

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What you do not light

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Michael Willems

Lighting is all about what you do not light. Like in this “implied nude” shot from the other day: How did I light this? Camera on manual, with settings guaranteed to make the room look dark (it was not, but … Continue reading →

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Lenses and Fun

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Michael Willems

Why do we use wide or long lenses? One reason is to change perspective, as you all know if you read this site. Here’s another illustration. I took a happy shot of a student yesterday, with the lens set to 24mm (apparently my … Continue reading →

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Posted in Composition, Learning | Leave a comment

Africa…

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Michael Willems

Check out this page. In August 2012, international photog Kristof is doing photo training during an Africa Safari trip. And great news: I will join too, if we get enough signups! This is the trip of a lifetime, both as a trip and as … Continue reading →

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Posted in Learning, Travel | 1 Comment