Protecting the lens with filters? (rNeil)
posted Thu March 4th 2010 @ 3:23 PM

I've had this asked of me MANY times ... should I protect my nice new lens with filters on the front of it? My professional peers (for their own work) are very strongly divided: this is the old beer commercial's "taste great vs. less filling" debate on steroids! I've looked at it very practically, and am quite comfortable with my advice, which is: some of the time, yes. How's that for a strident position! Read More »

Thoughts for the day ... (rNeil)
posted Thu March 4th 2010 @ 2:30 PM

Two quick comments struck me today from Joe McNally, during an interview on PhotoshopUserTV. The first is "Photography always has been first and foremost about relating to and with people". The second, about what to do when "it" just won't happen: "Sometimes you're the bug, sometimes you're the windshield; but I've built my professional skills to work through these moments so I ALWAYS get something useful for the client." Read More »

Moon Shot (CherieRenae)
posted Sun February 28th 2010 @ 9:29 PM

The moon is lovely tonight. What a terrific combination - February clear sky & a full moon. Perfect! Read More »

Awesome Camera Simulator-check this out! (MiriamHaugen)
posted Sat February 27th 2010 @ 7:54 PM

Check out this link to an amazing simulator that shows the effect of Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO, how they interact and the effect that each has on the exposure. This explains it better than anything else I have ever seen! Read More »

Camera 101 (CherieRenae)
posted Sat February 27th 2010 @ 8:30 AM

Look for the out-of-the-ordinary when photographing.  That's what one of my students did during this month's Camera 101 - the Live Version.  She saw this image reflected in a birdbath.  It left me thinking, "Wish I'd taken that!" :) Read More »

Wealth in Photography (CherieRenae)
posted Mon February 15th 2010 @ 4:13 PM

This article is a gift to our members - words of marketing wisdom from one of the legends of portrait photography, Bill Sorenson.  He has amassed great wealth from his business - a rarity among photographers, who are usually longer on art talent than on business sense.  Read on to learn some of his secrets to success. Read More »

EVEN MORE! (CherieRenae)
posted Fri February 12th 2010 @ 7:31 PM

I attended a spiritual retreat last weekend.  It was three days of no cell phone, no computer, & no camera (!) – time to spend looking inward rather than outward.  I was skeptical about the concept, but willing to give it a try.   Read More »

A little love comes back ... (rNeil)
posted Fri February 5th 2010 @ 6:53 PM

All the mentors here love doing weddings, and as in all of our professional photography, taking care of our clients. We don't want to just be a neutral presence at the big event, but to have a positive effect on the people we come in contact with so that THEY have a better time at the wedding. And of course, we want the couple and their families and friends to enjoy choosing many photographs that will help them remember this wonderful day. Read More »

Cleaning the sensor on your camera (MiriamHaugen)
posted Tue February 2nd 2010 @ 2:34 PM

I am getting ready to clean the sensor on my camera. You can pay a professional to do it for you or you can do what I did: I purchased the special swabs and cleaning solution from my local camera store and carefully following the directions in my owners manual, I will clean the sensor myself. It won't take me more than 2 minutes to do. Read More »

Musings for a New Year (CherieRenae)
posted Thu January 28th 2010 @ 11:58 AM

In an email to an artist friend who was feeling fearful about the future, I said: Read More »