BetterPhoto Instructor Insights

BetterPhoto's Awesome BetterPholios On Sale!

© Sean Arbabi All rights reserved

As an instructor on BetterPhoto, I love having a Pro BetterPholio site. Not only is it extremely affordable (compared to other web-hosting) but it's a great way to market and display my photographs. I can post news, articles, and upcoming workshops for photo enthusiasts, as well as links to any other sites displaying my work.

The search section is also a fantastic feature - type any word, location, item, or subject, and all of my images that correspond come right up- a wonderful aspect for clients, and in addition an easy way for family and friends searching for a function or event. But with all of these elements of the service, I think the best feature of a Pro or Deluxe BetterPholio site is that it's easy to set up with no web design experience required, simple to update, and the upkeep is up to you.

When I signed on, I picked my last name for the site, www.arbabi.org, BetterPhoto filled out the form and obtained the domain name, and I was up in a few hours. I'll keep the site up indefinitely.

Did you know that the new and improved Deluxe and Pro BetterPholios are on sale today and tomorrow? Check it out! You can get an entire year free. See the details.

2007 BetterPhoto Summit Photography Conference: Presentations by Top Pro Photographers

Chicago's O'Hare Airport © Brenda Tharp

Want to learn how to take better pictures? Or how to use Photoshop? Or are you just interested in improving photo skills?

One way is through BetterPhoto.com's famed online digital photography school. Another way is to attend the photographic event of the year: The 2007 BetterPhoto Summit Photography Conference. This weekend photography seminar takes place September 29th and 30th, 2007, in Chicago. The intensive weekend photo seminar promises inspiration, information, and interaction between BetterPhoto's professional instructors and conference participants. And you can get on-the-spot feedback on your work - from a professional photographer!

Program highlights include: instructor seminars, live critiques, professional panel discussions, photography equipment demos, networking lunch, and photographer's Showcase Theater. Presentations cover topics such as:

Landscape photography, portrait photography, vacation photography, basic and advanced Photoshop, black and white photography, basics of exposure, Photoshop techniques, advanced composition, capturing the moment, panorama photography, Photoshop retouching, Photoshop burn and dodge tools, digital photography workflow, fashion photography, how camera meters work, visual design elements, creating depth in pictures, adding motion for impact, fill flash and low light photography, and photographing children. For specifics, see the photography conference program.

Presenters include such BetterPhoto's pro instructors, including Brenda Tharp, Lewis Kemper, George Schaub, Sean Arbabi, Jennifer Wu, Ibarionex Perello, Josh Anon, Susan and Neil Silverman, Bruce Smith, Robin Nichols, Vik Orenstein, Todd Morrison, and Gregory Georges.

Share photos and learn photography at BetterPhoto.com:

- Photo Sharing: See how to get an online photo sharing gallery.

- Check out BetterPhoto's options for Web sites for photographers!

- Online photo courses: BetterPhoto is the world leader in photography education online. For an online photo workshop, see our professional photography courses online. Also review the online photo workshop listings.

- See the inspiring online photo galleries of BetterPhoto's professional photographer instructors.

- professional feedback on your work with critiques by a professional photographer.

Civil War Batte Reenactments

By Jim Zuckerman

During the summer, there are many historical reenactments around the U.S. and they make exciting photographic subjects. In the East there are Revolutionary battles that are performed for audiences, and along the East Coast and in the rest of the country there are Civil War battles that are played out. The participants are avid history buffs who are usually very knowledgeable about every detail that goes into the recreation, from the uniforms to the strategy involved in the various military campaigns.

The key to photographing the battles is to be situated in the right vantage point. You will need a telephoto lens, preferably a zoom, and if you shoot in color as most of us do now, consider transforming these to black and white or sepia so they have a vintage look. Obviously no one photographed the Revolutionary War because cameras hadn’t been invented yet, but the Civil War was photographed only in black and white. Color images just don’t seem very realistic.

The pictures I’ve included here were taken in difference regions of the country. The vertical shots of a Confederate defensive line, a portrait of a Confederate soldier and a Union horseman were taken at Ft. Tejon, California, which is about one hour north of Los Angeles, while the horizontal picture was taken on the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin in Tennessee. Ten thousand men participated in that battle.

Here is a listing of some of the battles around the country:
http://www.sutler.net/eventlist.asp

BetterPhoto Radio Show to Focus on Digital Photography!

Hi Everyone,
BetterPhoto.com just keeps getting better - and more exciting. Coming up this weekend, of course, is the big 2nd Annual BetterPhoto Summit Photography Weekend. But there's more: The launch of the BetterPhoto Radio show!

This one-hour Internet radio program kicks off at 1 p.m. (Pacific time) this Friday, September 15th - just before the Summit (September 16th-17th). Here's a rundown of the program's format:

Each week, Jim Miotke, President of BetterPhoto.com and author of The BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Photography, will offer techniques on digital photography. Next, Jim will invite one of BetterPhoto's world-acclaimed instructors to share tips and thoughts. Finally, there will be questions from call-in listeners or e-mails from BetterPhoto members, followed by the program wrap-up.

The show will be archived right here at BetterPhoto and at the host, WSRadio.com. If you have a question, call in on Fridays, around 1:30 pm Pacific time, toll free 1-877-474-3302. Or email your question or comments to us at bpr @ betterphoto.com

Enjoy listening to Jim and one of BP's pro instructors share their expertise each week!

Thanks,
Kerry Drager

BetterPhoto Summit Contest - Win a Trip to Seattle

Photogenic Seattle

I am very excited to say that the 2nd Annual BetterPhoto Summit is less than 2 months away! On September 16th & 17th, 2006, we are in for an exciting weekend of learning photography and meeting up with BetterPhoto instructors and fellow members.

If you sign up today, you give yourself a greater chance of winning the Summit Contest!

It's true! You could win fantastic prizes, including a free trip to the Summit, an online course, and more! Each participant can enter only one photo per day leading up to the Summit. With space limited to 120 participants, your chances of winning a prize are great, and even greater if you sign up today.

Here's a link to more information on the Summit:
http://www.betterphoto.com/summit.asp

See you in Seattle!

BetterPhoto™ Summit 2005

Wow! What a great First Annual BetterPhoto Summit this was! I was one of the presenters there on "Fine Art Flower Photography, thinking outside of the box." Even so, I was very excited to see my friends and even some of my photographic heros do what they do. Unfortunatly, because of prior committments, I had to miss the first day, but the last two days were killer!

We got there at the tail end of Ben Willmore's presentation on how to "Radically Transform your Images in Minutes." Although we caught Ben at Photoshop World in Boston the previous day, I still managed to pick up an idea or two.

Vik Orenstein's "Photographing Children," and "Home Studos" was an eye opener for a nature photographer to see how masterfully Vik handled the model (Julian Miotke) and her common sense tips could be adapted to all photographic situations.

World class stock photographer, Charlie Borland, gave another instructive presentation on "Shooting Stock Photography," filled with practical and business saavy tips.

Kerry Drager's "Creatively Writing Articles on Photography" was another tip packed session. I write for major publications and found some of the tips immediately applicable to my work!

Jim Zuckerman's books were along side of John Shaw's books when I was getting started in the business. It's always great seeing Jim's work and hearing what he has to say. Great information from a 35 year professional.

Brenda Tharp's work is always stunning and her information is always excellent and inspiring.

Kathleen Carr's polaroid work in true fine art and is remarkably beautiful. Her techniques in producing these works was fascinating as well.

Ben Willmore's "Essential New Features in Photoshop CS2" was excellent and essential info for all photographers.

Jim Miotke's Camera RAW talk was important for all to know and was very informative and helpful.

George Schaub's digital printing session was very interesting and maticulous in it's detail. The information was presented well with the detail very understandable.

And finally the great Bryan Peterson was really great. Bryan's wide spectrum of knowledge, stunning images, sparkling and ever present sense of humor, and dynamism was the perfect finish.

As an instructor, being able to spend time with my friends and heros was great, really great!

For those who were there, "thanks" and we hope that you had as much fun as we had presenting and hangin' out with you. For those who couldn't make this year, we hope to see you in 2006!

Oh, yeah, let's not forget the Betterphoto staff. I'm sure I'll miss someone, but much thanks to Jim and Denise (and Julian!), Heather, Kerry, Maureen, Julie, Jay, Denise's Dad, etal!!

Here's a little something shot with my new favorite toy, the lens baby, also using the vignetting tool in nikMultimedia.

BetterPhoto Summit: Time's Running Out for Cheap Tickets

All Lit Up ... in Seattle © Mike Carpenter

Hi Everyone,

The first annual BetterPhoto Summit is going to be a fantastic event to learn photography, meet friends, and have fun. Many of BetterPhoto's online instructors will be on hand, as will BP staff members. And I'm excited about being on hand too!

Some great presentations are planned. For example: "Making Money with Your Photography with Jim Zuckerman; "Digital Exposure" with Bryan Peterson; "The New Essentials of Photoshop" with Ben Willmore; Brenda Tharp on "Creating Dynamic Travel Images"; and Tony Sweet on "Fine Art Flower Photography"

There's more too. In fact, if you are interested in writing (and submitting) articles for publication - or posting articles on your own Deluxe Web Site - don't miss my own program: "Creatively Writing Articles on Photography". I'll be sharing many tips and techniques that I've used in writing for magazines, newspapers, books ... and, of course, for BetterPhoto.com™.

Shiny Beach at Sunset, Olympic © Monika Sapek

The festivities take place September 10th and 11th, 2005, right near the Seattle airport ... two days of instruction and inspiration for just $297! But you must act quickly: the price goes up to $396 on August 11th!

In addition, for 2 1/2 days before the Summit, BP founder Jim Miotke and I will give a photography tour that combines the best of the Northwest with some digital fun. We'll take in many of Jim's favorite locations in and around one of the U.S. West's best cities: Seattle. This means classic cityscapes, mountains, forests.

Want more information on the Summit and tour? Go to the BetterPhoto Summit page

Have questions? Get answers at the Summit Q&A page

Want to see shots of Seattle? Check out the wonderful work of BP shooters at the Seattle Pictures gallery.

More images of the Pacific Northwest? Don't miss BP's Washington State gallery

That's it for now ... have a great week!
Kerry Drager

Under the Cole Bros Big Top at ISO 1600

Cole Bros. Circus Copyright 2005 Jeff Wignall

In my last blog entry I wrote about wandering around a traveling carnival and shooting pictures of the attractions and how it reminded me of going to the Clyde Beatty and Cole Bros Circus as a kid. After writing that, out of sheer curiosity, I decided to look up the circus online and see if, and in what form, it still existed. To my surprise and delight the circus not only still existed (now known as the Cole Bros Circus) but it was performing that very week in a town less than an hour from my home!

I was so excited at seeing this that I ordered tickets online immediately and made plans to go that Saturday night. I really had no idea what to expect from the circus because I stopped going to the circus years ago when I realized how badly wild animals are treated in most circus enviornments. The Cole Bros Circus, thankfully and to their great credit, doesn't use wild animals (though there are trained house cats!) even though the circus was founded by Clyde Beatty, perhaps the greatest animal trainer that ever lived.

Anyway, as I said, I had no idea what to expect, but what I found was a charming and exciting circus that, while it has an obvious (and at times mercilessly corny) bias toward young audiences, has kept the spirit and fun of the circus alive in a big way.

The Twin Towers with Infrared Light Photography

Beginning in the early spring through the summer, I shoot infrared (film and digital), and I’m reminded of a past assignment.

A few years ago, I was in NYC to photograph icons for a Japanese stock agency.
I haven’t done a lot of that sort of work in my career. So, needless to say, I was pretty stoked about it. My agent was with me for “protection,” and to keep an eye on my gear while shooting in the street, and in Times Square.

I’ve been to NYC quite a bit in my past life as a jazz musician, so I knew the fast and exciting pace.

I was waiting to see the weather before deciding which film to use, because I really wanted to shoot infrared. A deep blue sky is workable, but can be bland after a while. Overcast would work out ok, if there were detail in the clouds. But, what I was hoping for was a blue sky with white puffy clouds, a perfect infrared day. And we were lucky.

I’m always asked about what infrared filter to use. The two basic choices are a red filter and an opaque filter. The red filter is a deep red 25A filter. The opaque filter is just that, opaque. You can’t see through it. It records only infrared and creates a deep silver glow in the image, depending on how you develop it (I used infrared film here). Digital infrared can look great also. Ben Wilmore’s book, How to Wow, has a great example of digital “faux” infrared. The 25A can be used along with a polarizer to darken the sky, which really “pops out” puffy white clouds! I use the Singh Ray I-ray filter for film infrared and a Harrison and Harrison opaque filter specifically made for the Fuji S2 sensor, which I have dedicated to infrared.

The image here was shot almost one year, to the day, before 9-11. The light and sky conditions were perfect for infrared. In order to avoid lens flare, I repositioned myself to merge the sun behind the left tower. After shooting the ordinary shots and getting that out of my system, I began to look up through different things in the plaza. Every so often, we’ll look through the finder and it’s like getting hit by a bolt of lightning. When I saw this image in the finder, I got very excited and shot from this location, fine tuning compositions for a while using color transparency film and infrared. When I got the film back the color images were pretty bland, but the b+w infrared had a wonderful glow and seemed to really capture the moment.

I couldn’t have imagined the state of these building one year later, but whenever I think back to making this image, I feel fortunate to have been there to record it!