Monthly Archives: December 2012

New Camera?

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Michael Willems

Did you receive a new camera for Christmas? In that case, I suggest you now learn to use it. Learn, first and foremost, to operate it in manual exposure mode – this is the same on all cameras. Learn all … Continue reading →

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Darkness…. can be good

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Michael Willems

Advice: don’t “correctly” expose all your photos! Two examples here; first, “Beginnings and Continuity”, Port Dalhousie, ON: Followed by “Continuity and The Now”, Brugge, Belgium: Both these images use darkness as a device. The top one does this in order to … Continue reading →

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

Lens Caps, Hoods, Filters, and Bags.

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Michael Willems

For all my new readers, here’s my quick take on those items: Lens caps are not needed except when a lens is packed away. They are great picture-preventers. Amateur shooters always nervously replace their lens caps after every shot; pros … Continue reading →

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Learn, then learn more.

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Michael Willems

As a photographer, I am always learning. Always: the moment I give up, I might as well retire. Won’t happen for many decades, I assure you! Here’s a few ways we can learn; a few different methods for learning: Learning … Continue reading →

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Doing A Studio Shoot?

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Michael Willems

Studio shooting? In that case, I have a few quick tips for you. (Here’s hamiltonstudio.ca and its owner:) So here are my studio success tips: Always have music playing. I have an ipod with a Bose dock and it just … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Michael Willems
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Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

As Standard As It Gets… or?

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Michael Willems

As you will have read, I spent the last few weeks having enormous fun with the kids and their parents shooting mall pictures with Santa. Usually, these are normal “pictures for grandma”. Standard smiles. Nothing wrong with those, but why not shake … Continue reading →

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New Macbook…

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Michael Willems

My MacBook Pro died yesterday, in the middle of a shoot. So this morning I quickly bought a new MacBook Pro (Retina screen, 15″) and then proceeded to the Santa shoot; installed Lightroom; and the shoot continued. Great stuff, but … Continue reading →

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Posted in Digital Darkroom, Gear | 2 Comments

Tethering your camera

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Michael Willems

As I have mentioned before, tethering your camera to the computer is a very simple solution. You get the pictures onto the computer immediately for review and post-production. It is especially simple in Adobe Lightroom: It does, however, have some … Continue reading →

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Posted in Digital Darkroom, Gear | 4 Comments

Shake It Up

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Michael Willems

A quick pic of the day, taken today: Yes, you can have fun and shake it up! Of course I used studio lights for this photo (I am shooting Santa pics at Hopedale Place Mall, every day until Christmas Eve). … Continue reading →

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