Location, Location, Location

In the real estate business there are only three things that matter-Location, Location, Location. While there are more than three things that matter in photography, location is a great place to start, especially when trying to capture a city scape. You want to shoot from a location that allows a beautiful composition and makes a statement about the city you are shooting. I took this picture in San Diego, a city I have visited and photographed many times. However, I would have never found this location on my own. My thanks to Sonny Portacio (www.pocketlenses.com),  a local San Diego professional photographer who shared this location with a group of us who were in San Diego recently for a photo workshop with him, Chris Marquardt (http://chrismarquardt.com) and Joe Cosentino (http://www.explorephotographyworkshops.com).

Because of the location, the shot conveys so much. Even those who are not familiar with San Diego's skyline will instantly know the picture is of a coastal city;  that the city has a large bay; and that it is a major city. One picture truly can be worth a thousand words.

If you are interested in learing how to use your compact camera, check out Sonny's websit or youtube channel http://www.pocketlenses.com or https://www.youtube.com/user/PocketLenses.

For the oldest, and still one of the best, podcasts on photography, subscribe to Chris' podcast "Tips from the Top Floor." Chris is German and records in English to a worldwide audience. His was the first podcast I ever listened to, and it is still on my playlist, while others have come and gone.

Joe and Sonny operate photo workshops on the east and west coast. I will admit, I was surprised how much I enjoyed the workshop with the three of them. Describing all the things I liked about it would be another full Blog post. I'll just say that if you have any interest, at any level, in learning more about how to take pictures or use your camera (of any type), it is worth the investment. You will get more from a little training than you will ever get from buying a "better" camera. Learn how to use the one you have. Enjoy!

Pat

The Best Camera Is the One You Have With You; So Take Your Best Camera With You

The rise of the smartphone as a camera has been attributed to the adage that "the best camera is the one you have with you," and it seems like everyone has a smart phone and every smartphone has a camera. Thus the rise of Instagram, Facebook, and the ubiquitous Selfie. I love my smart phone, and it is almost always with me, but so is my camera! There are things that I can do with my camera that I just cannot do with my smart phone. I will admit that I have seen some incredible pictures taken with smartphones, ones I am jealous of, because I wish I had taken them. But my smartphone just does not rival my camera when it comes to picture quality and versatility.

My smartphone does not:

1. Have the sensor pixel count of my camera.

2. Allow me to adjust all the variables my camera does (ISO, Shutter speed, lens aperture, finely select my focus point, or the  focal length of my lens).

3. Allow me to capture the image in a file format that can be both easily and extensively adjusted (often refereed to as "RAW" format).

The creative possibilities with my camera are so much greater than with my phone. I love my phone, and it is great for a quick snap shot, but if I see something that I really want to capture in all its glory (or improve upon via digital editing), then I take out my camera.

This picture was taken when I was driving home from an all day meeting. The storm was coming on fast, and I pulled over and snapped a quick picture, one that would not have looked as good with my smartphone :) 

Is It a Photo; Is Photoshop Cheating?

Have you noticed that it is becoming common place to ask or say- "Is that photo real?" or "They cheated and used Photoshop?" I think the better questions are what is a photograph, and is it ever wrong to alter the image a camera captures?

Many have tackled these questions by offering their opinions and feelings on the subject. I have heard it said that photographs are recordings of the physical world and should never be altered; alterations are dishonest and misrepresent the image. Others have said photos are art and represent the vision and emotion of the artist. Therefore, no limits should be placed on the photographer's creativity.

Let's look at what the word means. The  Merriam- Webster Dictionary says that "photography" is "the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface."  The Oxford Dictionary defines photography as "the art or practice of taking and processing photographs." By definition then photography is art and is a process. It is understood that some art is "realistic" while other art may represent an "impression" or be "surreal."

The only thing wrong or "cheating" when it comes to photography is if someone misrepresents a photo. Journalists, for example, should not be altering photos intended to represent actual events. But those of us who enjoy creating images that we believe are beautiful,  interesting, fun, challenging, etc. should be free to let our creativity and imaginations loose. We still get to call our creations photographs, and there is nothing wrong with that. For those of you who want or expect something more sterile- call it digital art :)