Flower Close-ups: Try a Telephoto Lens!

By Kerry Drager

Here in Northern California, I'm getting a serious case of spring fever :-) ... with color starting to pop up almost everyone.

Tony Sweet - nature photographer extraordinaire - says he'll use anything he needs to get what he wants, when it comes to capturing flower close-ups. That includes a macro lens, extention tubes, diopters, tele-converters and even big telephoto lenses.

Check out Tony's BetterPhoto Instructor Insights blog:

Use a Telephoto Lens for Flower Close-ups!

Enjoy being inspired!

Kerry

Macro Photography Lighting - Window Light!

By Kerry Drager

Tony Sweet is one very creative nature photographer. Check out his photo and thoughts on shooting flowers:

Macro Photography Lighting - Window Light!

Enjoy your close-up photography!

Kerry

Photography Special Effects by Zooming

By Kerry Drager

A zoom lens is so versatile - enabling you to change the focal length quickly and easily between exposures. But zoom lenses also let you create some very cool in-camera special effects. One creative technique is done by zooming during an exposure.

Although you can shoot zoomed lens exposures during the daytime, writes Lynne Eodice in her BetterPhoto photography article,"this technique really produces exciting patterns of lights at night."

Lynne, by the way, is a top pro instructor for BetterPhoto's digital photography school online. Read her excellent article, filled with tips and techniques:

• Photography Special Effects by Zooming

Have fun reading this article and trying out this very creative technique!

Kerry

Sunset Photography - Close-up Water Reflections!

By Kerry Drager

photo copyright by Kerry Drager

One of my favorite "go-to" spots for nature photography is a nearby country pond that really comes alive in the warm light of late day. I've shot it many times with a wide-angle - to catch the sweeping views - but I also like switching to a telephoto and capturing intimate scenes too. Tele-zoom lenses, in fact, are great for non-macro close-ups.

For this photo, I was particularly attracted by the beautiful colors and also the pattern/abstract quality of the reflections of reeds and grasses. Zeroing in tight with my 70-300mm Nikkor lens gave me the tight composition that my eye saw.

Have fun getting out in the beautiful light of late day and looking for colorful details!

Editor's notes: Learn more about visual creativity techniques in Kerry Drager's courses at BetterPhoto's digital online photography school. Check out his pro bio and online photo workshops.

More details on the photo: Nikon D3 DSLR camera, f13, 1/8th sec., 220mm, ISO 400, tripod, image processed in Adobe Camera Raw

Infrared Digital Photography: It's Creative and Fun!

By Kerry Drager

Infrared photography has always had a special attraction for me. Like black and white, the best infrared images are very striking and very dramatic.

One of the best infrared digital photography shooters around is Deborah Sandidge. After all, she wrote an outstanding book on the subject - Digital Infrared Photography - and teaches a fine online photo workshop too: Digital Infrared Photography

But be sure to check out Deb's excellent BetterPhoto Instructor Insights blog:

• Infrared Digital Photography: It's Creative and Fun!
  

Enjoy!

Kerry

Use a Slow Shutter Speed to Your Artistic Advantage!

By Kerry Drager

As photographer/author Simon Stafford puts it, "the shutter speed has great potential for creative effects!"

In his BetterPhoto Instructor Insights blog, Simon showcases an eye-catching photo of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England. He describes the technique and settings for capturing the scene and photographing motion. Read his blog here:

Use a Slow Shutter Speed to Your Artistic Advantage!

Enjoy learning more about creative techniques in photography!

Kerry

Moonlight Photography for Capturing Memorable Pictures

By Kerry Drager

Looking for a different look for your outdoor photography? BetterPhoto instructor Simon Stafford has the answer: moonlight photography.

In a new BP article, Simon talks about a 13th-century church near his home in England. "I have pictures of it in all four seasons, at all times of day," says Simon. "Looking for a fresh approach, I decided to try shooting using nothing but the light of the moon - which is, after all, reflected sunlight!"

For some great night digital photography techniques and tips, read his article:

Moonlight Photography for Capturing Memorable Pictures

Have fun getting out at night and capturing some memorable moonlight images!

Kerry