I first came across surf photographer Chris Burkard in 2006 when I joined the now defunct publication Digital Photographer magazine in Ventura, CA. At the time I was obsessed with surfing, and my new job afforded me ample opportunities to surf during my lunch hour, which I often surpassed an hour (Luckily my boss allowed […]
Real or Photoshop?
Real or Photoshop? In the early days of Photoshop it was easy to spot a heavily-manipulated image. However, Photoshop has grown over the past 25 years to become the gold standard in image-editing, and has become so robust and advanced that the editing process makes everything look seamless and believable. Some people think it’s easy […]
Turn Adobe Lightroom Into a Real Palette
Often when editing in Lightroom or Photoshop I would love to have more precise manual control over my edits. Using a Wacom tablet in the past has usually satisfied this need, but yesterday I stumbled upon a new product called Palette, a module system of buttons, sliders, and dials that links together magnetically to allow […]
Pro Bono, Oh No!
When is it all right for a photographer to work Pro Bono? This is the age old question, and has become more prevalent during the massive paradigm shift in photography, i.e., digital photography bridging the gap between beginner, novice, hobbyist and professionals. There is a YouTube video making its rounds on the internet posted yesterday […]
The Photographer Waits
The creative process takes many forms and is influenced from artists who can help guide us into different directions. Influences come in different forms, from the things we see, to the mentors who teach us, to the things we read, watch, or even experience — influence can be found everywhere. I reminded myself today about […]
10 Ways to Find Photographic Inspiration
1. View Others’ Work Whether you’re on Flickr, 500px, or Google+, being part of a community can inspire you to go out and shoot. When we look at the work of other photographers, both unknown and known, we can ignite a spark of our own creativity. Just like writers are influenced by books and other […]
The Moment of Capture Defined
The Moment of Capture Defined, or the experience a photographer has when they find the perfect moment to press the shutter has always intrigued me. I wanted explore the context of art in modern society, and to help determine the emotional connection we have with it. I wanted to know more about the role artistic […]
Is Kodak Back?
Kodak and their yellow and red packaging were ubiquitous and recognizable during the glory days of film. Kodak had always been on the cutting edge of innovation and technology, and in fact in 1975 a Kodak engineer Steve Sasson invented the digital camera. But with bankruptcy last year and the many miscalculations along the way, […]
25 Inspirational Quotes From Photographers…and Others
Why do quotes from photographers, philosophers, and famous people throughout history interest so many? Poetic words from others have always inspired and motivated me, and I remember one of the most powerful quotes that stays with me: ”Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Soren Kierkegaard It […]
What Really Happened At the World Press Photo Contest?
World Press Photo is having a rough time since their February announcement that over 20% of its contestants were disqualified for breaking contest rules. And to make matters worse, there was also the disqualification of Giovanni Troilo’s “La Ville Noir”—The Dark Heart of Europe, which depicts Charleroi, Belgium as seedy, sex-craved underbelly city of Europe. […]