Film Strip Tutorial

I had been meaning to post this for a while now, it’s always nice to acknowledge people who help you, a simple thank you can go a long way. Additionally a few people have asked me about the different film strip photos I use to lead the HTML5 slideshow on my home page. This post should help with both.

My Newfoundland theme film strip photo

The film strip tutorial is compliments of Gavin Hoey, you can visit his website by clicking here!
Gavin is an excellent instructor and has a lot of Photoshop and photography videos to share. You can learn a lot from him. Thanks Gavin!

Gavin's Tutorial


And thank you for dropping by! :-)

Night Photography Workshops

Do you want to learn how to make stunning photographs? Do you want to do it in a small group where you can explore, create and learn at your own pace under the guidance of an experienced professional photographer? Join me and have lots of fun learning how to make better images through solid principles of photography.

Our Night Photography Workshops are held at Cape Spear Newfoundland, the most easterly point in Canada. Photographing at night is an awe-inspiring and wonderful experience. This is the second year for these workshops, last year as was photographed the stars we could hear the whales spouting in the waters alongside, it was an amazing experience. Please “click here” to check out the night photography gallery on my website for examples of this unique photographic experience.

Only two night photography workshops are scheduled at this time, July 21 and July 28 2012. If there is the interest I will look into scheduling more. Please feel free to "contact me" at for more information.

Cape Spear Night Photography Workshops

Saturday July 21 and July 28, 2012 - 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Don’t know if you are ready to learn night photography? Don’t worry I will help you set your exposure and operate your camera and answer any questions you might have. All you will need to get started is a camera with manual exposure and a tripod. These workshops are scheduled to last for 2 to 3 hours and cost $50 each plus tax per participant. This price does not include transportation.

To Register please fill out the form below. Please note payment must be made to complete the registration process. You can pay using major credit cards using the "Buy Now" button below. Once payment is received you will receive a confirmation email from us. Thank You!

A limited number of workshops are planned and a small number of openings are available, be sure to register soon so you won’t be disappointed.

Photo Skills: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced

Photo Therapy

I hadn’t though about photography as having any therapeutic value until a couple of years ago when I was in Vancouver and was befriended by a gentleman who like myself had a keen interest in photography. He was in his 40s and was well into a technology career at the time. He was involved in a type of work which led to a sedentary lifestyle of very limited physical activity. Recently he fell in love with photography and his new activity had him out hiking and exploring. We spent about 5 hours that evening and night roaming around Stanley Park, practicing night photography, having fun and learning.


Vancouver City



Even thought I had done a wide variety of work over the past 30 years I still identify myself as a landscape photographer for the most part. I practice landscape photography solely for enjoyment. Landscape photography means personal time and I’ve often thought of it as a kind of meditation. It’s my time. It’s a chance for me to focus on my photography and enjoy my environment. I’m in the moment without distraction. I just love sitting on a cliff edge over looking the ocean to enjoy the wind blowing in my face. It’s as if Mother Nature is reaching out caressing you! That’s freedom! That’s life!

Yours Truly Enjoying the View at Outer Cove, Newfoundland



Some people love photography for its social opportunities and join photography clubs or get together with friends for photo walks. There are so many ways to have fun!

One of the most recent projects I had been involved in was the first Help-Portrait in St John’s Newfoundland. Help-Portrait is all about giving but what I found was that the other volunteers and myself were still beaming, and had a bounce in our steps, days after the event. While I though we would find it rewarding I didn’t think we’d get so excited about it and after talking to others weeks after they are still excited and can’t wait for next year. Yeah, happiness is contagious!

Having said all this I haven’t even mentioned the creative outlet photography provides. Well as Henry David Thoreau put it: “The world is but a canvas to the imagination.”

So what do you like photography? Love to hear from you!

Some Advice on Choosing a Camera

I don’t usually write equipment reviews but after seeing some of the very inappropriate and foolish comments on-line in regard to the new Canon 6D plus the fact that I often get asked for suggestions on equipment I thought I’d write this post. 

The best advice I can give unfortunately is to get the most expensive equipment you can afford, you get what you pay for and quality costs. Also the glass, the lens, is very important. A good lens on a cheaper body will out perform a kit lens on a more expensive body, at least in terms of image quality. 

Speaking of the Canon 6D, like the new Nikon 600D both are “full frame” bodies. “Full frame” means the sensor is the size of the older 35mm film negative, ie 24mm x 36mm. If you can afford full frame these cameras are considered entry level and very capable. Both cameras, body only, are presently priced at around $2,100 CDN.

 

There are various models of cropped sensor cameras available (cameras with sensors smaller than full frame). Not as expensive as the full frame but very capable are, among others, the Nikon D7000, Canon 7D and Canon 6D. One of the benefits of a cropped sensor camera is that if you put a full frame lens on it, say a 70-200mm you will effectively have a 112-320mm on a Canon for example. Also because the files are a little smaller the frame rates are usually faster. So if you’re interested primarily in wildlife photography these machines are a great choice.

 

And lets not forget more basic DSLR’s like the Nikon D3200 or Canon T4i, these are very capable cameras and provide photographers great opportunity. I only focus here on Nikon and Canon because those are the brands I am most familiar with. However Sony, Fuji, Pentax and others make great cameras also. There are lots of choices these days and comparably priced models often very similar specs and features.

Mirrorless cameras are something you might want to consider. Cameras like the expected Sony RX1, a full frame mirrorless camera may be a game changer and mirrorless may be where the technology is heading.

   

If you want to do some comapritive shopping photoprice.ca is a great website for Canadians. You might want to consider buying local even if the price is a little higher, that way you’ll have personal access to support and can have your questions answered or get help should you need it.

Regardless of what you buy always remember it’s the person using the camera that’s most important. Good technique and some patience are the best tools you can have.

Take Care and thanks for stopping by!