Low Light Without Flash with Sarah Meghan Lee

It is counter intuitive: the less light there is, the less I use flash. In really low light situations, the flash can ruin the mood (religious ceremonies, vigils) or overpower the inherent emotions and qualities (candle light, moonlight) of beautiful low light. So what can you do?

Bump up your ISO. The new digital cameras work amazingly well at higher ISOs. Test your camera at 800, 1600, or higher, and find out where the image starts to deteriorate.

Buy a 50mm or other fixed lens that opens up to at least f/1.8. These lenses provide the low-light photographer with double value: they are so small and light, you can shoot slow shutter speeds at wide apertures.

Get steady. To photograph at slow shutter speeds try leaning against a wall, sitting down, or putting your elbows on the ground.

Finally, let the image go dark. It should be dark. And when the sun goes down, keep shooting!

Learn more from Sarah in her workshop
San Miguel de Allende: Day of the Dead
October 29 - November 4, 2010

Visit her web site www.sarahmeghanleephotography.com to see what she’s up to.

Early Entry Discount on Our Photo Contest Ends July 22!

One day left to save ten dollars! Enter our first ever photography contest and have your works seen and judged by Anthony Bannon of the George Eastman House, Brenna Britton from People magazine and photographer Julie Blackmon.

We’re looking for images that speak of family, human or otherwise. The final deadline is September 15. The experience will be rewarding and the prizes are great–including free workshops!

Learn more about the contest
FAMILY

From Camera, to Vision, to Heart, with Jennifer Spelman

I believe there are three plateaus every photographer encounters. First, excited to have acquired a camera, the new photographer passionately dives into learning its technical nuances. So this first plateau is one of menus, spinning dials and focus on the camera itself. Creativity is often stifled by a clashing of the left brain with the right.

Eventually the photographer establishes an understanding with the camera and the focus can shift to the subject. This is the plateau where vision is developed. Subtleties in light and moment are realized. A sense of composition and balance is discovered. Creativity is allowed to flex.

The final plateau is the evolution of view, from the subject to the self. The photographer now understands that what makes an image timeless is the expression of a unique point of view. It's only when universalities become personalized that creativity can truly be unleashed.

Learn more from Jennifer in her workshop
Basics of Digital Photography
July 25 - July 31, 2010

Or look into having Jennifer a mentor with the Workshops Mentorships Program. Visit her blog Photo Coleslaw to see what she’s up to.