BetterPhotoJim

Returning to BetterPhoto's Roots: 'Giving First'

Hi all,

I'm super excited to share with you that we at BetterPhoto are going to work to change our focus to give more generously to you. Here are a few of the things to look forward to:

- More streamlined web site with a simpler menu of options.
- More new courses in 2012
- More video explanations.

Also, stay tuned next week on how you can be a part of a local initiative to bring BetterPhoto enthusiasts together in person. This will be one of the biggest changes in years in how the BetterPhoto community interacts. I can't wait to tell you about this...

But I need to know what YOU feel. BetterPhoto was founded and built on a principle of "Giving First" and I am committed to returning full circle to this original focus.

So I want to hear from you!  Let me know in the comments below what YOU would most like to see and what would make BetterPhoto even more fun for you.
 
My intention is to "bring back the fun" and to continue to create something truly special, a site and community that we are all proud to be a part of.

Post comments  below and share your thoughts with us.

I look forward to reading your comments!
 
Thanks,
Jim

Last Chance for Biggest Course Sale of the Year!

Today's the day! BetterPhoto's monster pre-Halloween sale ends today, October 28th. Enroll today in an online course and save $50!!

The sale applies to 8-week courses and 4-week classes.

Note: Be sure to enter Save50 into the "Gift Card Code" field on the Checkout page.

Fisheye Photography - When to Use It

One of the top pros at BetterPhoto, instructor Jim Zuckerman, loves to share his vision and his photography. Check out his thoughts on fisheye photography, including this awesome fish-eye photo:

(c) Jim Zuckerman

Says Jim Z: "I don’t use a fisheye lens often because usually curved vertical and horizontal lines don’t appeal to me. This kind of distortion is fun to play with for a short time, but it gets old very fast.

"A particularly unique situation in which a fisheye lens is perfect for the job, however, is when you photograph something round. For example, in the above image of the circular chandelier and the domed ceiling of a mosque in Istanbul, I shot with Canon’s 15mm fisheye. The graphic composition looks much more dramatic than had I taken this with an equivalent focal length in a rectilinear lens. I own the Canon 14mm ultra wide angle lens also, and even though it is a bit wider, it wasn’t able to compete with the fisheye in producing such a dynamic picture.

"When you shoot something round with a fisheye, the extreme distortion that makes fisheyes well known seems to be absent. You can’t make a round object ‘more round’, so there is no apparent distortion. It is obvious, though, that the subject doesn’t quite look like we see it with our eyes. The perspective looks expanded and dramatized, and it’s a unique interpretation of the subject.

"In photographing the beautiful architecture, I was careful to position myself such that the center of the chandelier was perfectly in line with the center of the dome in the ceiling. Had I been even slightly off, the picture would not be perfect."

NOTES:

• Jim Zuckerman is a top pro who teaches many excellent online photography courses at BetterPhoto.com, including Eight Steps to More Dramatic Photography and Techniques of Natural Light Photography.
  
• Also, Jim Z is a top contributor to two new books (co-authored by Jim Miotke and Kerry Drager): the just-published The BetterPhoto Guide to Creative Digital Photography and The BetterPhoto Guide to Photographing Light (due out in April 2012).

Online Course Sale: Big Savings!

BetterPhoto's online photography school has a monster pre-Halloween sale going on this week. Select any November 8 week or 4 week photo course, and get $50 off!!

Be sure to enter Save50 into the "Gift Card Code" field on the Checkout page. But you must hurry, since the sale runs only this week (through Friday, Oct. 28th, 2011).

How to Photograph Great Silhouettes

BetterPhoto instructor Deborah Sandidge never ceases to provide inspiration and information!

"Creating mood and drama by photographing a silhouette isn't as challenging as you might think," says Deb. "Two elements are needed - great light and a great subject."

Here's more:

(c) Deborah Sandidge

"Lucky for me," Deb writes, "this windswept great blue heron provided the perfect subject for an interesting silhouette. I exposed for the area surrounding the bird, allowing his form to be underexposed to black for a mysterious and more dramatic look. Setting the white balance to Cloudy accentuated the golden tones in the composition, creating a warm and inviting image.

"Try it and see! ~ Deb"


Editor Notes:

• Check out Deb Sandidge's online photo workshops at BetterPhoto's digital photography school: Photoshop - Enhancing Digital Images and Creating Works of Art and Digital Infrared Photography.

• Deb is also a contributor to The BetterPhoto Guide to Photographing Light (coauthored by Jim Miotke and Kerry Drager, and due to be published in April 2012).

New Book on Creative Photography!

My newest BetterPhoto Guide book has just been published! The BetterPhoto Guide to Creative Digital Photography - co-authored with Kerry Drager - focuses on composition, design, color, and light.

See excerpts from the book...

This new book is sold through Amazon.com, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, Indiebound, etc.

Photographing at Twilight: How to Do It

Twilight photography is covered in my upcoming book (co-authored with Kerry Drager) - The BetterPhoto Guide to Creative Digital Photography. Not surprising, since twilight is such an amazing time of day.

In this photo blog, BetterPhoto instructor Deborah Sandidge shares her beautiful photography and her insights on twilight photography:

(c) Deborah Sandidge

Santorini is a most magical place, says Deb Sandidge. "In the village of Oia, the sunsets will take your breath away, but it's twilight that captures my heart. The whitewashed architecture is uniquely beautiful, built into the sheer volcanic cliffs. You can see some of the older cave style structures in the foreground. Hundreds of people flock to watch sunset which is amazing from almost every vantage point. After sunset, people leave, everything quiets down, the light starts to get interesting, this is my favorite time to make pictures.

"For long exposures such as this one, you'll need a tripod and cable release (or use the self-timer feature in your camera). A small aperture creates starbursts with any pinpoints of light in the composition. Choose a white balance that artistically accentuates the scene, I often start by dialing in 4000K. Most optimization was done in Adobe Camera Raw, with a few finishing touches with Nik Viveza.

"Enjoy shooting after sunset! ~ Deb"

Editor Notes:

• Check out Deb Sandidge's online photo workshops at BetterPhoto's digital photography school: Photoshop - Enhancing Digital Images and Creating Works of Art and Digital Infrared Photography.

• Deb is also a top contributor to The BetterPhoto Guide to Photographing Light (due to be published in April 2012).

Get Great Colors in Your Nature Photos!

Now that it is fall color time, says BetterPhoto instructor Rob Sheppard, "I am seeing some wonderful fall color shots ... and some way over-saturated photos that look more garish than attractive.

"I think you really have to be careful not to oversaturate already colorful colors such as bold fall color on a bright sunny day. It is okay to actually trust the color of the scene and not feel you have to "improve it."

Read more in Rob's excellent blog:

Nature Photography: How to Get Natural-Looking Color

Thanks,
Jim

Take a Look at My New Creative Digital Photography Book!

Check out this post by the publishers of The BetterPhoto Guide to Creative Digital Photography (co-authored by Kerry Drager):

Excerpts from Creative Digital Photography

Intended for beginners through serious hobbyists, this book focuses on composition, design, light, and color.

The BetterPhoto Guide to Creative Digital Photography covers such topics as getting started (creative visualization), point of view, lens perspective (wide vs. telephoto), natural light and exploring the times of day, the elements of design, composition (following and breaking the rules, plus advanced concepts), depth and balance, photographing motion (from freezing action to in-camera painterly effects), personal projects, etc.

The publication date is October 18, 2011. It's available at Amazon.com, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, Indiebound, etc.

Last Day for Huge Course Sale!!

Today's the day! It's your final chance to get in on the big sale going on at BetterPhoto's online digital photography school:

• Save $40 off 8-week photo courses with gift card code Fall40
  OR
  
• Save $20 off 4-week photography classes with gift card code Fall20.

But you must hurry up and enroll, since the sale ends today!