Category Archives: Learning

Come To The Show?

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Michael Willems

Alas, for the first time in years I will not be speaking at the Exposure imaging show, May 25-27 at The International Centre. You may still want to go, but alas, you will not be seeing me. Plenty of other … Continue reading →

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Constituent parts

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Michael Willems

When learning photography, remember to treat each problem separately.  I.e. take away variables, just like in high school math. Don’t say “yes I see that aperture does this or that, but why is the colour wrong?” – different problem. So … Continue reading →

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Exposure Triangle

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Michael Willems

Every photographer needs to learn the “exposure triangle” of ISO – Aperture – Shutter. For a brighter picture you can do any of three things: Higher ISO Lower “F-number” Slower shutter speed For a darker picture you can do the … Continue reading →

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Niagara School

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Michael Willems

Note to students who lives close to the Niagara area: this year I am teaching a five-day class at Niagara School of Imaging: August 19-23. Details here: http://niagaraschool.com/2012-courses/michael-willems-the-speedlighter/ There is still space, so sign up soon.      

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Beginner’s tip: exposure compensation

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Michael Willems

This I frequently repeat: your camera’s light meter assumes you are pointing it at a grey subject – grey in terms of brightness. The moment you point at a predominantly light or dark subject, you need to tell the camera … Continue reading →

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Beginner’s Tip

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Michael Willems

Beginner’s tip: you should want a blurred background to get rid of distractions. To do this, go to aperture mode (A/Av) and select a low “f-number”). Here, I used f/2.8: And just to show you what not to do, here I … Continue reading →

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Not too shallow

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Michael Willems

I hear people say sometimes that “you cannot shoot portraits at wide open apertures”. So then how this available light portrait, shot on a full frame camera with a 50mm lens at f/1.2 (yes, f/1.2!)? Well yes, it is shallow, … Continue reading →

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Reader Question – exposure

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Michael Willems

“Use manual”, I say. Easier said that done eh? A new student asks me this: Michael – indoor, dimly light (one table lamp), ISO 200, f/3.5, shutter 2.5″. Just when I have my shutter speed set to get meter at … Continue reading →

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Start manual

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Michael Willems

Tonight I am starting new courses, teaching constantly, and this reminds me to recommend the following to you: Start using your camera in manual mode (“M”) and with auto ISO disabled. This way you set ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. … Continue reading →

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Give the gift…

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Michael Willems

….of learning. Wherever you do it, learn, and encourage others around you to learn also. In photography more than in any other endeavour, you have to keep learning. And I can help. Here’s one way: buy a Seasonal Gift for … Continue reading →

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