BetterPhotoJim

The Human Element

Where's Waldo? In Lupine Heaven © Jim Miotke All rights reserved

When it comes to nature photography, the purist inside us always tells us that our landscapes and seascapes are better left untainted by the presence of people. In some cases this may ring true, but I find that adding the human element can add a unique depth and perspective to my photos. This particular photo was taken on a trip to New Zealand. I've hidden a fellow photographer among the beautiful flowers. If you can find her amidst the purple (Where's Waldo?), I think you'll find her presence helps you better place yourself at the scene.

Sunsets and their Deceptive Powers

The Remains of the Day © Jim Miotke All rights reserved

Tired of shooting beautiful sunsets and ending up with overexposed images that only vaguely reflect your memory of the scene? You're not alone. While sunsets may seem harmless, they have a vendetta against your camera. The sun employs deceptive powers to fool you and your lens. Its brightness fills your viewfinder with so much light that it overpowers and mis-represents the small amount of light in the surrounding area of your exposure. What trickery, I know!

Luckily, there is an easy way to foil the sun's dark plans and come away with a gorgeous and representative memory that will last a lifetime. When you are photographing sunsets, or capturing a silhouette like in this photo, I recommend temporarily filling your frame with only the sky, just away the sun. Now, lock in your exposure reading by pressing your shutter button half-way down or using the exposure lock feature if your camera has one. Then, simply recompose, and you'll come out with a beautiful image to match your visual. It's kind of like tricking the trickster - which is satisfying in and of itself.

Enjoy a week filled with light - just not so much it ruins your photos.

Radio Show Recap: Capture Beautiful Light Now!

Big Sur Coast © Jim Miotke All rights reserved

In the middle of a seemingly endless fall rainstorm (those of you near Seattle know what I'm talking about), it's easy to let your mind's eye drift to beautiful images of the beach. Last week on BetterPhoto Radio, I delved into Digital Nature Photography.

In discussing this shot of the Big Sur Coast in California, I hit on an essential tip for capturing images in beautiful light. Quite bluntly, whenever you see beautiful light, stop and shoot! Don't delay. Capture an image, ponder breakfast later! Often, the perfect light will pass within moments, and you don't want to be kicking yourself later. In the case of this photo of Big Sur, I was quick to take advantage of the light just before an imposing cloud cover engulfed the coast. The warm tone was achieved through a creative manipulation of white balance.

Be sure to listen to the archived audio of Last Week's BetterPhoto Radio Show, or check out the images I discussed.

Tomorrow's show airs live from 1PM to 2PM PST on BetterPhoto Radio.

Birds on the Level

Perching Harris Hawk - Dead Stare © Jim Miotke All rights reserved

The number one problem with bird photography is that so many bird shots are from the same perspective - from eye level up into a tree. This often results in generic images of a bird’s breast and belly, missing some of the more beautiful feathers on its crown and flanks. The best way to get outstanding images of birds is to photograph them from the most unique point of view available. As we usually look up at them, being level or above them immediately makes your bird photos stand out. Be creative – use your surroundings to your advantage. Is there higher gound? A safe object to stand on? Just don’t let your feathered friend escape without snapping away…

Have fun!

Jim