by tmoffett | Aug 10, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photo tips
The Owyhees
I have had this image as the banner on the blog now for several months, but have never discussed it. It is one that I really enjoy, even though it is not perfect. I had just finished photographing a family at Celebration Park, which overlooks the Snake River just outside of Melba, Idaho. I was tired. It had been a long day and I just wanted to go home. However, as I drove out of the park, I saw this view of the Owyhee Mountains and had to stop. This is one of the few times that I didn’t use a tripod for a landscape image. I did, however, rest the lens against the open window frame of my car. I knew I needed a camera support, but was just too tired to get everything back out. The car did the trick. I have printed the image up to 44 inches and it is very sharp. I know that without some sort of support, though, it would have been soft and unprintable. This is one case where knowing how to get the support quickly and easily paid off.
Many of my students complain about needing to use tripods, so I try to show them different methods to accomplish the same thing. Even though there are other methods of supporting the camera, I find that most often a tripod is still the easiest method. I always carry a tripod. Even if I don’t have a camera, I have a tripod. It very rarely leaves my truck. I have just found that it is so important of a tool. When I don’t use it, I always find that I wished I had. I just cannot hold the camera as still as a tripod does.
by tmoffett | Aug 9, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Sunset, Lower Dam, Lake Lowell
What is it about sunsets that we all enjoy? Each one is so different, not one the same or even similar. I have my own ideas why we all enjoy them so much. Maybe your ideas are different. I would love to hear others views.
All day long we view the world in cold, blue light. Our eyes adjust to the color and we see it as “normal.” Then for a few brief minutes at the end of the day everything changes. On the evening of a great sunset, the whole color palette of the world shifts to the warm spectrum. Psychologically warm is inviting, it draws us in, it is captivating. If nothing else it is different. I could be very happy sitting next to my sweetheart every evening watching the sun set, just watching and soaking in the warm feelings. Life couldn’t get much better.
by tmoffett | Aug 8, 2010 | Architecture, Black and White, Composition
Idaho Falls LDS Temple
When photographing architecture, and especially in black and white, I look for interesting skies. Without clouds, the sky becomes just a boring gray tone. I have just one word of caution, though. If the sky is too dramatic, then it can overpower the building, detracting from the original intent of the photo.
Notice the composition in this image. The building is surrounded by, and rising out of the trees. I have included the landscaping as a way to frame the temple and give the image a solid base. With the sky, I positioned the camera so as to place the spire in a darker part of the sky and surround it with clouds, helping to draw attention and frame the building. The evening light was soft enough to allow detail in both highlight and shadow, yet hard enough and at a low enough of an angle to create depth and dimension in the structure. Light quality, whether natural or artificial, is the key to successful photography.
by tmoffett | Aug 7, 2010 | Color, Landscape
Reflections in Blue
Moving water can create an interesting surface for reflections. I found this peaceful image while strolling the banks of Lake Lowell one summer morning. Soft light, blue sky and a few ripples in the water. What else can be said? I hope you enjoy.
by tmoffett | Aug 6, 2010 | Color, Photo tips
Last Light
Stormy skies can make for very dramatic photographs. They can also kill the light so that everything is flat and boring. I have learned that in order to get that perfect photograph I must sometimes fail to get any photograph. I play the waiting game quite frequently. In the case when I was out shooting this barn, I played that game and won! Just as the sun hit the horizon it popped out under the cloud cover for only a few short minutes. I was ready. My camera was set up, focused and ready to shoot. Other times, I am ready and the sun never does show up. I then quietly break down my equipment and go home, knowing that another day, when the sun does show up, I will be ready.
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