Author Archives: Michael Willems

About Michael Willems

Michael is a professional photographer and photography teacher and private coach. Based in Ontario, he teaches and shoots worldwide. See more at www.michaelwillems.ca and www.speedlighter.ca

Wide.. wider!

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Michael Willems

Wide angles, you have heard me say it before, rock. I mean 16mm focal length on a full frame camera, or 10mm on a crop camera. Take these sample shots from a wedding I shot yesterday: All those, you will agree, are somewhat … Continue reading →

Posted in Composition, Gear | 3 Comments

Combining light types

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Michael Willems

A repeat of an older post here – because it is very important. When you use flash, you can either combine it with existing light (as in a party) or not (as in a studio, or as in a snapshot). … Continue reading →

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Just a moment!

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Michael Willems

Photography is about Light, Subject/Composition, and moment. Like in this picture of Dan Bodanis of the Dan Bodanis Band, with Peel Region’s Acting Police Chief, the other night: In a photo like this, “moment” is everything. A few tips, then: … Continue reading →

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Inverse Square: It’s The Law

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Michael Willems

The “inverse square law” regarding light dropoff says that light drops off with the square of the distance. I.e. an object 4 times farther away gets 16 times less light, and so on. This law needs to be part of … Continue reading →

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High Key: Keeping it Simple

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Michael Willems

A quick pic of the day today. A “high key” image. That is, a photo where the entire image is bright. Like this one: To do this: Use a person dressed in white, or a pale-skinned person, against a white … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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