Become the ART in smART

A sniper... Silently stalking its pray. The innocent nightingale is singing to him. Gazing through his scope at the unsuspecting target. Aware of his surroundings. He knows who he is watching and who might be watching him... Completely focused! The beating of hearts, the sweat of his brow... the fear in his eyes. A simple tune, enough to distract his focus. The last beat was made... Hearts are broken and dreams shattered. The nightingale has sung her last song for the sniper!   

Ok... So whats the point? Don't lose focus! Many people think that taking artistic photos is easy... It is much more advanced than point and shoot. How does one find the right subject and find the "zone" in which to take a brilliant artistic photograph?

First, the subject... Anything is good enough to be art! An empty beer can, shotgun shells, empty bottles and people. There is a fine line between art and scenery photography. Art is more abstract and unrealistically, realistic. Once you find your "zone" you will understand what that means. Choose anything in your reach... and use it as a subject.

The next step is what are you going to do with your subject? Close your eyes and don't imagine what it is... but what is could be! The composition. See it in a way that no one else would. I looked a an egg, and saw an egg-head singing songs! And the result was just that! Many times you will see that your idea changes or even your subject... But then you are doing something right. You are determined to get your smart-art on, and found your "zone". Most important, DONT GIVE UP!

The difference between a good and a bad photo is lighting. You know what? The best lighting for artistic photography is a desk lamp. Set everything up, play with the light and keep shooting until you feel that shot of success! Try using slow shutter speeds to get that warm feeling and a small aperture about f/16... Get those shots and I want to see them in the house and home magazine next month! Have fun!          

Just do it!!

The sun is shining... Birds are chirping... Waves are cooking... And you are sitting somewhere inside, reading this blog??? Common! Catch a wake up. We don't know how many days we have left so make every second count. If photography is your thing then get out there and prove your salt!

There isn't one single photo taken in this world that is exactly the same as a other... Unless it was copied and paste, but that's not the point. Every second that pasts is a photo wasted. Have you ever tried to photograph a sunset? It is the most frustrating thing to do, because it changes every second. Which second to spend taking the photo? I have taken photos of such settings before and the first photo looked 10 times better than the next and they were taken seconds apart.

But.... (there is always a but)... I never would have taken that photo if I didn't go out there and try. Take your girlfriend with you. A girl loves to look good on a photo and to be in one (even though they don't admit it). What would look better, 'n beautiful sunset background or a computer screen background? For those of you who don't have a love in your life... Photography is a great way to meet people. So common!! Always look for THE shot, but if you didn't get... Well at least you had fun! Here is a photo of me looking for The shot.... But didn't get it!

 Get out there and expand the world of photography! Just do it!!  

Psychology of Photography

Have you ever taken a picture which seemed to be the best of it's kind? Think again! (I can see you are thinking about it....) Am I right? Yes I am. It is a well known fact that no photo is the best, there is always a better shot. Either waiting to be taken or already snapped, displaying in an National Geographic magazine. It has happened thousand times over and over with me. How do you handle this kind of mental breakdown? Follow my easy, yet not-making-sense steps.

1. Say: "Am I in denial?". Do you think that your shot is that great? Before you think you are the best photographer in the world, look critically your photograph. Pay attention to S-L-N-C. Subject - Lighting - Noise - Composition . And then compare it to a professional's shot.

2. Say: "Shit I do suck".... Admit to have taken a bad shot comparing to others. This may sound a little off the hamster wheel, but trust me, your mind sets new heights for future shots. You'll never be better if your standards don't grow and believe me, you as photographer will grow as well.

3. Say: "I can beat your shot!". Once you have set higher standards for yourself, it is time to think how you are going to look at your shot and think that it is better than the one before.

4. Say: "What needs improvement?". Look again at S-L-N-C. Look where you can improve and set your plans into action!

Remember, not all shots are bad! Some of my best shots are my worst shots... If that makes sense. A memory is the best kind of photo you can have. A memory can be forgotten, but a photo is forever!!  

 

  

Great Photography tips

"Ahhhhhh that sunset is beautiful.... Hey go stand there while I snap a pic with you with the sunset as background!!" (Ok now your imagination is going to kick in) Man appears out of nowhere... "What do you think you are doing John?" John rather surprised, "Ummm taking a picture." "We don't take pictures of the sun without the proper filters.... here are a few tips to get it right and remember, I'm watching you!"

It is so true. Taking quick snapshots of the sun at any time of day is harmful to your camera. The camera has a photosensitive sensor which "copies" the light into a photograph... Much like our eyes. Imagine if someone took a industrial rugby match spotlight at shines it in your eyes in the middle of the night.... Yes that bad. I bet your wife, husband, mom or dad won't be impressed to see your new SLR not working anymore... These days a service for your camera costs twice that of a car.

So what now?... Well, luckily there is a very cheap, yet simple-to-use method instead of investing in a UV filter. My mom has thousands of sunglasses laying around. Go to the local "1$" shop and by a moth eye sun glass. Remove the lens (by force or screwdriver.... Force is much more fun) and when taking the picture, simply place the lens in front of the camera lens. SNAP. The weird dude won't appear and tell you to keep it real....     Here is an example or a photo taken by this technique. You see?? Beautiful pictures, cheap filters, fantastic results!  Have fun and please... Snap responsibly!!