Yearly Archives: 2017

Why You Should Be Using Neutral Density Filters

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If you don’t have a variable neutral density filter in your camera case then you are seriously missing out!  My advice, get one STAT! I typically use a UV filter to protect my lenses and a ProMaster CPL filter for some scenics, however, the new ProMaster HGX Variable ND Filter is one I just won’t leave my studio without. Nuetral Density (ND) filters are basically sunglasses for your lenses; they diminish the light transmitting thru your lens. This lack of light transmitted permits you to use slower shutter speeds and wider apertures. Without using a ND filter you’d have to use faster shutter speeds with smaller f-stops … Continue reading →

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Adventurer

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Shopping for the adventurer in your life this holiday season? Check out our favorite photo gear picks below, and give them the perfect gift to help capture photos on their upcoming travels or next adventure. Photo Gloves – designed to keep your hands warm, the index finger and thumb tips fold back so you can still easily operate your camera while shooting in colder climates. Available in both 4-layer and knit ($24.95 – $34.95) Image:  @raysupply For photographers, travelers, commuters… and everyone in between, the Wandrd Prvke 21 backpack is the perfect combination of camera bag and all-around pack for travel. Special photo bundles start at $264.00, available at … Continue reading →

5 Tips for Consistently Good Indoor Photos

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No matter what level photography experience you have we all know that creating indoor photos can be a little tricky. Below are a few tips on how to avoid some of the pitfalls. Color Balance/White Balance your Indoor Photos Taking photos inside is one place that gives automatic settings on your camera an operating issue. Especially relevant to better indoor photos is learning how to set your camera’s white balance.  If you are shooting available light and the light source is an Incandescent bulb, (3200˚K), Fluorescent tube (4500˚K), natural light through the window (5000˚-6500˚K) or an electronic flash (5500˚). Consider … Continue reading →

DIY Photo Tip – How To Take Your Own Family Portrait

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Thanksgiving is almost here and that means the holiday season is upon us again! Time to start planning all those family gatherings and creating new memories. And what is the best way to preserve your memories than with a photograph or video? Whether you hire a professional portrait artist at LarmonStudios.com to create a family heirloom, a family photo enthusiast with a sophisticated DSLR or you with your iPhone or other mobile device, photos and videos are always at the center preserving memories. Family First Before all the parties and gatherings begin, there is the “what to do for this year’s holiday … Continue reading →

Pinhole Projector for Eclipse Viewing and Photography

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Find a large box. Size is only important to give room for a pinhole that’s not obstructed by your head or your camera. Cut a small hole near the center of the short side.  Set your camera lens face down near the edge and draw an outline around your lens. Cut out that hole. You’ll use that for your lens or your eye. Pop a little pinhole in the center of a small piece of aluminum foil. Use a pin to make that hole. The cleaner and rounder the hole is- the sharper your viewing will be. Don’t dig around … Continue reading →

Tips for Eclipse Photography

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Now that we’re upon the #GreatAmericanEclipse, and especially that we’re now SOLD OUT OF SOLAR FILTERS!!! Its time for a nice technical post about eclipse photography. First, all the safety stuff!!! Only use approved solar viewing filters to look at the sun!!! Keep your camera lens capped except when actually shooting!!! I don’t want to see anyone come in with holes burned in their shutters – so don’t use Mirror Lockup!!! If you’re doing Live View from your camera’s rear screen remember that the sun is blasting onto the sensor!!! I’ll say it again- Keep your camera lens capped except when … Continue reading →

4 Tips to Great Travel Photos

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When it comes to travel photography its not about the camera you have.  Think about it, photographers like Ansel Adams & Yousuf Karsh could create better images with a pinhole camera than most of today’s photographers can with the most sophisticated computerized cameras made.  Photography is not even about the beautiful images we create. For most of us it is about telling stories and preserving family memories. Having the latest and greatest equipment is awesome if you can afford it; however, it is not necessary for taking great photos of your family. So, what is necessary? Being prepared and understanding … Continue reading →

Color Theory 101 – Basics to Understanding White Balance

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What is White Balance? White Balance is the single most important setting to master on a digital camera. The color temperature you select that tells a computer/camera what values equal white. Why white?  That is simple.  Do you remember CRT (Cathrode Ray Tube) televisions/monitors? Remember being told not to touch the screen because it would blow up the TV? This was because the TV’s had the 3 tubes, one Red, another Blue and the last Green, that fired electrons that created a static electricity field around the set/monitor while delivering a picture to the screen.  Red, Green and Blue are … Continue reading →

Composition Theory – What is Dynamic Symmetry?

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Photography is its most basic element stems from Algebra, Chemistry and Optical Physics.  With digital photography we have kind of replaced Chemistry with Computer Science. Let’s face it, most of us are not fans of mathematics; and, many are shocked to learn how large a role math plays in photography.  Algebraic elements are at the core root to photography. Reverting to film base we know that there are two types of film that exist – negative and positive.   The same applies to photographic paper.  As a result, we print negatives using negative paper (two negatives equal a positive). Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to … Continue reading →