The flash is the biggest solution to shooting digital after dark. The problem with this is that not all situations can benefit from using the flash like shooting street and urban. When shooting indoors, the built in flash has the effect of lighting your subject on the front but it will darken the surroundings and flatten the details. Many times, shooting flash is not “socially” wanted or allowed… so then what?

Start with this – a good way to solve low light issues is using a higher ISO. Your ISO simply means the amount of sensitivity of light falling on your sensor. Con – Higher ISO means noise in the dark areas of your photo or a grainy effect overall. If your ISO is perfect for the photo yet there is a significant increase in noise you can use software like “Neat Image” in Photoshop to fix the problem. I don’t recommend AUTO ISO or AUTO WHITE BALANCE. When a camera is set on “ISO Auto,” the digital camera will use a higher ISO than necessary in most cases and create a noise nightmare. Tip – If you know you are going to be shooting indoors, show up early and get your settings ready to go. If possible, bring a tripod. If you don’t have a tripod, ramp up the ISO a notch, which will allow you to select a faster shutter speed. This will reduce camera shake. A body can clean up noise, a blurred capture leads to a deleted capture.

As I stated before, if plenty of light is available, digital photography is fairly easy. The first photo in this series is one of my first shots ever taken with my current camera. No planning involved, point and shoot. The rest of the photos where a horse of a different color. Most were shot in aperture priority mode with very low ISO with a 2-3 second shutter speed, this allowed my sensor to pick up enough light for exposure. When doing this, I have to plan around light changes and traffic. ISO clean-up was unnecessary due to low ISO. The post processing that I did do was in Photoshop. Last note, shoot RAW if your camera allows it and carry extra storage cards. RAW files are very large in file size.

Please click the first image to start the lightbox. It is similar to what you find on Facebook. It enlarges and allows you to view the photos up-close as you pan through them.

Lighting

Shooting in optimal light

Caught after dark

Using Aperture or Manual mode with approx 3 second exposure makes shooting after dark a breeze. Even with low light, noise can be kept down with low ISO. Lower your shutter speed.

MW Night Life

Using Aperture or Manual mode with approx 3 second exposure makes shooting after dark a breeze. Passing vehicle can create some neat effects. Using low ISO to reduce noise.

After Dark

Using Aperture or Manual mode with approx 3 second exposure makes shooting after dark a breeze. Passing vehicle can create some neat effects. Lowest possible ISO to reduce noise.

Another technique to try – I read this somewhere but have not tested it. In theory, it sounds good. The next time I take the camera out after dark… I will try this technique:

1. Crank ISO as high as it will go
2. Use aperture priority with the lowest f-stop on your fastest lens (f1.8 or lower if you can).
3. If that still causes shutter speeds to be too low, set exposure compensation down a stop, which will increase the speed a little, and then simply push the exposure in post processing.
4. Use software for noise reduction.

If you enjoyed this… you may enjoy how to take SHARPER PHOTOGRAPHS! Read more about the Aperture Priority and shallow DEPTH OF FIELD. Flower and snails, it’s all MACRO.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy. -Z

Sirloin steak, broiled chops, and roasted corn are served up straight off the grill. The unwanted guest at our picnic are the same guests that plague most picnics. Soon, those guests are turned into my “subjects.” More on that in a bit. The day was finished off with a bottle of Vin Glace’, a new favorite wine of the house. For our current social status it was pricey but worth every sip. Sweet nectar!

If you enjoy flies (tongue in cheek), please click the first image to start the lightbox. It is similar to what you find on Facebook. It enlarges and allows you to view the photos up-close as you pan through them. Pretty disgusting. After seeing their actions up close and personal, I will probably be throwing out lots of food.

No exif data is reported on this site but I am working on it. All photos are captured in Aperture Priority with the Macro setting. White balance, ISO, shutter and focal change shot to shot.

Fly on the cob

I really enjoyed the steak, remind me not to finish my roasted corn.

Upscale Dining

We sat back and visited while the flies finished off the extra sirloin.

Taste Tester

uhm, right. That bottles wasted.

Seagram's Fly

All I can say is, “summer is here.” Infested with butterflies last week. This week it is flies. Guess which week we prefer?

Time for dessert

Desi and I found a favorite wine. A dessert wine called Vin Glace’.

Dessert with filter

Desi and I found a favorite wine. A dessert wine called Vin Glace’.

Don't drink and fly

A final reminder to not drink and fly. You could end up at the bottom of a bottle wanting out.

If you enjoyed this… you may enjoy SHARPER PHOTOGRAPHS! Read more about the Aperture Priority and shallow Depth of Field here.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy the show. -Z

If you enjoy vivid color or nature photography, please click the first image to start the lightbox. It is similar to what you find on Facebook. It enlarges and allows you to view the photos up-close as you pan through them.

No exif data is reported but all were shot in Aperture Priority with the Macro setting. White balance, ISO, shutter and focal changed shot to shot. Read more about the Aperture Priority and shallow Depth of Field here.

Thanks and I hope you enjoy the show. -Z

It’s 2012 and rather late in the season but we planted this small flower garden anyway. Within the hour, it had its first guest. I sat an watched the journey for about 30 minutes. The garden snail slowly made his way across the mulch, each piece a different obstacle for the little guy. Eventually the snail did make it to high ground. The garden consisted of some newly planted Zinnia’s, Celosia Reds, and a Passion Vine. The vine was dropped during transfer, so I hope plants cannot get PTSD.

Begonia Carneval

Passion Vine

Passion Vine Watered

Visiting Snail

Moving Nowhere Fast

Obstacles

More Ostacles

Garden Snail Departs

Snail seeks high ground

New Zinnia's Planted

Zinnia Row

If you enjoyed this… you may enjoy SHARPER PHOTOGRAPHS! Read more about the Aperture Priority and shallow Depth of Field here.

Here I share a few of the photos taken at the festival including art exhibits and a few concerts. Several of the artist were gracious enough to let me photograph their work; most others not so much. Day one for us poured. In fact, we nearly left for a long drive home empty handed. The weather broke about mid-day. We are so glad we stayed. We enjoyed a nearly empty festival grounds which meant getting close to exhibits. Day two – It was packed over and quite hot.

You can view enlarged photos in a slide show if you prefer. Click any image to immediately open a “lightbox.”

Desi's Staircase

Fantastic HDR paint process artist.

Outside View

Outside view of the same booth.

Strange but Awesome

This artist was very talented but his booth contained some very strange pieces.

Head sculpture art

GlassWorks

Desi and I agreed on a style of end tables finally. We find something we like and there is only one of them. Oh well!

Modern Sculpture

This is what 26,000.00 looks like. You think he delivers? Probably.

Drying off the goods

Day one was a wet one

Our day one – Friday. It poured all morning. Made for a cool day. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. FANTASTIC!!!

MAINSTREET ART FESTIVAL EXHIBIT

Time well spent

We spent a lot of time around the kinetic pieces. Lots of room and no crowds. The weekend story is completely different. Getting close to these guys is quite the chore.

Kinetic with friends

Desi, David, Victor and Lonnie all enjoying the Kinetic energy exhibit. Note similarity to 2010 photo. Pretty close, huh! Just different people. Accidental. Notice the thin clouds. That is about to change. See day two photos.

Kinetic up close

Designs within designs.

Vulgar Sculptures

Yeah! This artist had some pretty “vulgar” stuff and I wanted most of it. David and I both wanted to cash out this piece. Completely different from everything else we saw that day.

MAINSTREET ART FESTIVAL EXHIBIT

Desi by one of our favorite booths.

MAINSTREET ART FESTIVAL EXHIBIT

It is called MAINSTREET ART FESTIVAL for a reason. For years I have admired the detail in all of the architecture.

Victor and the artist

Our friend Victor joined us on this merry adventure. Note the artist in the background. I caught glares all day. One shortcoming in low attendance… they follow my camera closely.

Victor, Desi and Kina Crow

Day one – we discover the Kina Crow exhibit. It was an instant favorite to all of us. This piece being number one. It was a true delight. One day two, it was gone.

Desi's favorite

Desi’s overall favorite booth. Must be the earth tones.

Desi's favorite booth

The man had an eye for design. Lucky for us… sparse crowds today. He allowed me to shoot the booth. VERY RARE with most having “no photos” posted.

Fun Accidents

This shot could have been about the giant cock, it may have been about my friends in the far background, but the baby stole the show. Accidental captures make the best photographs.

Desi and David

The constant banter was a lot of fun. Dave’s take on the different booths and features made for an interesting day.

N'Awlins Concert

N’AWLINS was a lot of fun to watch perform. Cannot believe they performed so much of the Star Wars soundtrack. No kidding.

Festival Culinary Delights

16.00. Dry, tasteless, and excellent if hungry enough. Razoo’s was three blocks away. Palm to forehead.

Street photography

Desi losing me in the crowd, always traveling against traffic. Note the number of cameras.

Zooma Zuma

Cirque troop. We caught the end. What we saw was pretty impressive.

Clearing skyline

Starting to clear up. YEAH!

Trey and the Tritones

Desi wants the shirt. I want to see the concert again.

MAINSTREET ART FESTIVAL EXHIBIT

Trey and the Tritones performing Journey.

Trey's Personality

This group was very entertaining. Considering there was only twenty people in the crowd, he put on a heck of a show. Trey and the Tritones were a hit with my group. The boy sings everything from Sinatra to Prince.

Trey and the Tritones

Not many of us in the crowd. Assuming the pose was for the camera. Too bad I was not ready. What you see is what I caught as we were walking off.

Victor's Funnel Cake

Victor eats funnel cake and most of hand.

David's perplexed

Good friend David with a “what the heck was that?”

MAINSTREET ALLEY

Taking a break from the concert to make calls to work. The lamps in this alley caught my eye.

The Alley

Bass Performance Hall

These statues butt against each corner. The building is absolutely beautiful. A perfect backdrop to Sundance Square. It stands in the SE corner of a large city block. We shot it from the NW corner.

MAINSTREET ART FESTIVAL EXHIBIT

MAIN STREET ENTRY

I wanted to capture a poster like photo that required no post processing. That comedian performing just below the sign was hilarious. Very interactive and entertaining. The wind was horrible. More on that in just a moment.

MAINSTREET ART FESTIVAL EXHIBIT

MAINSTREET ART FESTIVAL EXHIBIT

For the spectators… it was about the show.

For the men… it was about the hair blowing in the wind.

For the women… it was about the red shoes.

For the guy in the background… LOL!

Starting to get crowded

Weekend at the festival. As the title suggests, it is starting to get busy. Beautiful day out. The crowds were out in droves. Getting close to many of the more popular exhibits was a pain.

ART FESTIVAL NEXT DAY

The skies are clear. The Kinetic pieces and Bass towers are a match made in heaven. Fantastic views while enjoying the sculptures.

ART FESTIVAL NEXT DAY

The skies are clear. The Kinetic pieces and Bass towers are a match made in heaven. Fantastic views while enjoying the sculptures.

Kina Crow - Man in my head

My personal favorite (Exhibit). Miss Crow has many fantastic pieces and welcomes cameras. When we showed up the next day, many were gone. She must have had a great festival.

Kina Crow Exhibit -Dream

Another shot inside my favorite booth. Kina welcomes camera’s but the booth was to packed to get a proper capture.

http://www.kinacrow.com/ check her out.

Kina Crow Exhibit

“What are we waiting for” was beyond entertaining. The last two figures in the line were “whispering.” I loved this piece. Again, this was one of Kina Crow’s exhibits. My one wish was that her booth was not so busy. She welcomes camera’s but the booth was to packed to get a proper capture.

http://www.kinacrow.com/ check her out.

Me and My Monkey crowd

Told you it was a busier day.

Me and My Monkey

Beatles tribute band.

www.facebook.com/beatlestribute

http://www.meandmymonkey.com/

We will be catching them up close and personal in the very near future. Today was hot and the place was packed. They are just as good or better than Beatlemania.

I had better shots but none featured that kids hair. =)

If you enjoyed this… you may enjoy SHARPER PHOTOGRAPHS! Read more about the Aperture Priority and shallow Depth of Field here.

So, what is depth of field in photography?

The contrast between what is in focus and what is out of focus is commonly known as “depth of field.” Understanding and being able to control depth of field is a key element in capturing great portraits. The first thing you need is a decent camera. This camera should be able to control the depth of field. Some people insist that you need a portrait lens. I don’t shoot with one but they do make your life easier if this is going to be your primary type of photography. Although, many photographers prefer prime lenses for this type of photo shooting, a zoom lens will work. Like me, if you are going to shoot prime or with a zoom lens, the only requirement is a wide aperture. Normally f/2.8 and wider are the best, but for longer focal lengths, you can use up to f/4.0.

So, how do you do it?

What if your camera does not allow lens changes? Longer focal lengths are best at reducing the depth of field. Using a bridge camera, I have used a macro setting in aperture mode while shooting “street” with some success. No lens changes. There are many photographers who love using a 70-200mm zoom lens for portraits. Others use 85mm lenses (optimal and easier to attain desired effect). Wide angle lenses do not work well for shooting portraits.

Set the camera on “Aperture Priority”, and set the aperture at a very wide setting. The lower the number, the wider the aperture, and the wider the aperture, the less depth of field there is in the photo. For example, with an aperture of f/1.4, it is much easier to get a shallow depth of field than it is with an aperture of f/4.0. The correct distance from your subject will fill the frame with your subject. The closer the camera is to the subject, the less depth of field there will be in the final image. If possible, have the subject far in front of distracting backgrounds. Have them step away from the background. In simple terms, if the subject is only 10 feet from the camera, there will be less depth of field than if the subject is 20 feet from the camera. The best portraits are a result of using the right equipment along with the techniques outlined above. A good lens is better than an awesome camera. Using the techniques above, I have found that it is more about the lighting and settings than either the camera or the lens.

Happy snapping!

If you enjoyed this… you may enjoy SHARPER PHOTOGRAPHS!

We are not professional photographers. We did not shell out big bucks for a high end camera. We will never be featured in a magazine, but we are able to create suitable photographs for our own use. Desi and I decided on a lower end FujiFilm FinePix S2940WM from Walmart. We needed to upgrade from our Samsung point and shoot. Scuba diving, Photoshop, WordPress, Flash, eating and Facebook are a few of the things I have mastered over the years. What could possibly be hard about snapping pictures?

My first venture off presets… at best, would be labeled as disastrous. After a few days of shooting on this camera, I realized there was more to photography than picking a subject and pulling the trigger. Aperture, ISO, priority mode, lighting, shutter speeds, triangle… what? Exposure to me was what happened to starlets when a body part fell out due to a wardrobe malfunction. A F-stop was defined as a cop pulling me over. There was a lot to learn.

Timing, subject and lighting are everything. Macro seemed to be a practical place to start and learn. If you are a budding photographer, I highly recommend it. Your subject is very patient while you fiddle with dials and settings. In the end, we will probably spend more on a tripod than what I spent on the camera. Proper sized rocks are not always going to be available. Macro (without presets) was easy enough once I read the owners manual and completed some online research. Being that I was now an “expert,” I took the camera indoors. My world was flipped upside down. Natural light is no longer available and the term color cast is now in my vocabulary. Straight flash and macro don’t mix. Demoted self from expert back to beginner. Sharper photographs are only available outdoors at close range.

Here are the lessons I did learn in creating sharper photographs suitable for self published coffee table books and Facebook photos.

Post production: Apply an Unsharp Mask – The unsharp mask is the my favorite tool for improving sharpness. It works by increasing the contrast along the edges in your image, producing better separation between objects and giving the impression of a sharper picture. Learn it, live it love it. To apply an unsharp mask in Photoshop -go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask. Adjust the settings your liking; I start with the following values: Amount 100%, Radius 1.5, with a threshold of 4. Neat image is plug-in you may want to look into for removing grain. Careful not to overdue. Make small adjustments. The cumulative effect will yield sharper photographs.

Shooting for sharpness: Use the Sharpest Aperture available on your camera. Switch your camera into single point focus mode. This tells your camera to focus sharply on just one point. Lower Your ISO. The higher the ISO, the more digital noise. I shoot 64 with good light. The less light, the higher the ISO. Increase Your Shutter Speed. Lighting is all important here. A faster shutter speed is less susceptible to movement. Shoot in Continuous Mode. Switch your camera to continuous shooting (burst) mode and snap several shots at a time. This yields a few good shots out of each set. Sometimes it pays to look behind you and shoot from the “hip.” Madi’s post volleyball victory antics are proof enough. <3

Practice, practice, practice. Fill up your card, format, and start again. The only thing you will lose is battery juice. Make sure to practice indoors as well. Do not show up for a family event with an unfamiliar camera. I speak from experience. The location was a big INDOOR volleyball tournament. The camera was not to blame. Several people around me were having the same issues with their high end products. It was all about lighting, ISO and shutter speeds. By the end of the tournament, I managed to rescue several excellent shots through post production. One piece of information I learned through experience, better to shoot dark. They are fixable. Over exposure is practically impossible to fix.

Never be afraid to try something different. It is not always about color. Lighting, shadows and patterns may play vital rolls in your shots.

Sometimes, it is all about the color!

Mostly, it is about having fun!

Last note: Spring Photography. Visit the Flash by Z pin board to view larger photos.

HAPPY PI DAY to all our netizen!!! The wife posted a Pi-Rap a couple of years ago for those hardcore fans and a Star Trek Pi day video for our nerdy friends (one of my favorites).

Google is such a fantastic toy and the Mrs. is great at finding the fun stuff.

Pi Subway Art

Larry Shaw… the inventor of Pi Day and his brilliant Wiki page.

More cool Pi Art

A Pi Day Comic not recommended for rated G viewers.

Desi is busy making the Pie Square as I write this… time to reap the benefits. Who says a pie has to be round? Our Pi R Square. Everyone have a great day!!!

Another note: A new project is launched by Flash by Z. MineralWellsMasons.org.

Last note: Spring Photography. Visit the Flash by Z pin board to view larger photos.

Is this rocket science? I am still wrapping my mind around this being a true story. REALLY? This is a spam email received from a friend. This particular email was all kinds of fun and I had to share it.

Scientists at NASA built a gun specifically to launch standard four pound dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military jets and the space shuttle, all traveling at maximum velocity. The idea is to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields.

British engineers heard about the gun and were eager to test it on the windshields of their new high speed trains. Arrangements were made, and a gun was sent to the British engineers. When the gun was fired, the engineers stood shocked as the chicken hurled out of the barrel, crashed into the shatterproof shield, smashed it to smithereens, blasted through the control console, snapped the engineer’s back-rest in two, and embedded itself in the back wall of the cabin, like an arrow shot from a bow.

The horrified Brits sent NASA the disastrous results of the experiment, along with the designs of the windshield and begged the U.S. scientists for suggestions.

NASA responded with a one-line memo, “Defrost the chickens.” (True story)

The Akita circled the broom and whined at regular intervals. Eventually, our Dingo made herself comfortable for a long staring contest. Pets can be so, so humorous at the strangest of times. The broom never did fall over. Our two-story is built on the side of a hill. This added to the overall challenge of balancing a narrow slanted broom. If I drop a marble, it will instantly find the Northeast corner. Anyway, the broom stood and the dogs stared. To the best of my knowledge, we do not have a haunted home. We have under-stairs storage but no Toby exists in it.

Enjoy the photos! For the record, these are not created with Photoshop. Take the challenge.