2*3 Photos

red-rocks-1, originally uploaded by Dizzle @ 2*3 Photos.

Once again, I spent some time outside…in nature.

I took this photo at Red Rocks Park in Morrision, Colorado just west of Denver. It’s a popular spot for climbers, hikers and bikers…and with the amazing amphitheater there are concerts a plenty to find there.

This was the early part of an equipment test outing. With the exception of a “blue sky” preset in Adobe Lightroom 2, this shot is straight out of the camera. I only sharpened and added the frame on it in Photoshop.

Nature and landscape is really not my thing, but every once in a while a shot stands out that works.

My oh so camera shy son decided to let me take his picture…and he smiled. He usually RUNS when he sees my camera so this is a rare shot, the smile makes it dang near a miracle shot.

Sometimes the perfect photo is simply the one captured. This portrait of my son Zachary has some flaws in it, but when you have a child (or adult for that matter) that does not like to be photographed and suddenly they ask you to take their picture…you go with what ya got!

There was no time to set up, no time to worry about this or that, I just had time to grab the camera and start snapping before he walked away.

I was so glad that I had started resetting my camera settings prior to putting my equipment away. I tend to leave the dial on Aperture Priority when I store my gear as that has been a fairly successful quick setting for me at times like this. I changed the white balance to cloudy since it was overcast and was able to start snapping away immediately.

I learned from an ealier mistake that just putting your gear way without at least taking a quick look can be disaterous.

Start a routine of how you store your gear and you will find that it makes the next shoot that much easier to get going.

As a photographer I am always being told to read this book or check out that book. Usually I will try to pick up whatever is recommended and at least glance at it to see if it’s really THE book that I need to read to become a better photographer.

Since I got back in to serious shooting two books have been mentioned repeatedly, Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera and most recently The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world’s top shooters by legendary photographer Joe McNally.

The Moment It Clicks is not just a recommended read by me, but a true MUST HAVE!! Every photographer, from the new adopters with a simple point and shoot to the most seasoned pro, should OWN this book. This is not a book you read, this is a book you experience.

I will admit to you, I am writing this review without having actually read the book. Simply, I can’t just sit down and read this…it’s not that kind of book.

Each page contains a tip from Joe, be it something he picked up shooting for National Geographic or something he picked up as a photographer at the New York Daily News or just some simple idea that seems obvious once you read it, but just never really entered your mind. Along with each tip is a quick story and photo with how the photo was taken at the end. But these aren’t your usual stories, many of these are inside industry info that one would get if they were out in the field shooting in, oh let’s say Antartica for a Time magazine feature, and got a request from a photo editor.

In the past two weeks since I bought this book I have found myself just picking it up and opening to a page and starting from there. I have a Post-It pad next to the book so I can sticky those tips that I want to remember…my book is now FULL of sticky notes.

Seriously, this is not a book that I received for review, this is a book that I went out and purchased with my hard-earned money and it was worth every penny. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars…10 out of 10…whatever rating system you want to use, The Moment It Clicks rates tops!

Photography is all about light. Exposing a sensor or strip of film to light is how an image is made. So one can only imagine the number of books written covering this very subject. Add one more to the pile with O’Reilly’s Practical Artistry: Light & Exposure for Digital Photographers (Practical Artistry) by Harold Davis.

This book is specifically geared toward the digital photographer, but almost all the ideas can be used for old school film photogs as well.

The book covers a lot of topics including evaluation of light, aperture and shutter speed and an explanation of ISO. There are also chapters on using a digital darkroom and some post processing tips.

Overall the book does a fine job of explaining the basic techniques of lighting and exposure, but it really does try to cover a bit too much. The book does not go in too much detail on any one aspect which left me wanting a lot more.

Understandably the book is a light read with some amazing images (and each image has a brief explanation of settings used to achieve the image) and a good refresher for someone who already has a grasp of lighting and exposure, but if you are looking for a good starting point on lighting and exposure, this may not be the book for you.

More than a year since its last share your day adventure, Flickr is doing it again.

Drop it on your calendars 8/8/08 - 24 Hours of Flickr.

Photographers around the globe are being asked to take a photo (or 20) on that date and share it on Flickr.

I read a lot. I am one of those types who actually learns from reading…I know, odd in this day in age. Occasionally I will pick up books that seem to offer something for me to learn in their pages, sometimes it’s just because of a recommendation…and other times its on a whim.

I grabbed 100 Ways to Take Better Portrait Photographs on a whim while waiting for a friend to show up at Borders one day a few months back. I figured if nothing else it would be good to have something in the car to read when I had downtime.

Well the book wasn’t as full of learnable (is that a word?) knowledge as I had hoped, but it was full of page after page of inspirational images and techniques. On first glance the book is an easy paced guide to how to make beautiful people more beautiful in photographs. The models on ever page are simply gorgeous…from the women to the men to adorable children. I was very easily drawn in to the images and forgot the words.

But on each page you find an image and a technique that image shows.

I didn’t get a lot of technical know how from this book, but I did get a ton of inspiration from it. I honestly picked up my camera and started shooting anyone who would let me to try out some of the ideas from the book.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars, mainly for the inspirational images found inside and many of the clever techniques the book covers.

Every so often we like to come up with cool new specials to help our clients get great images at even greater prices. These specials will be posted up in our Photo Specials area of the site.

Our current special is for Denver Metro Area 2009 Senior Portraits, so if you have or know of an ‘09 grad gives us a call and let’s discuss what we can do for you.

And check back often for our new posted specials to see what we come up with!

After the early morning post about Rangefinder Magazine my friend and fellow photog Sheba Wheeler made a blog entry and mentioned the sister publication Aftercapture, a magazine devoted to post processing.

Well after further research, Aftercapture is a free subscription as well!!

If Aftercapture is half as good as Rangefinder then it’s a must have for all photographers.

I came across this free subscription to Rangefinder Magazine a while ago, had forgotten about it…and was reminded today when my first issue showed up in the mail.

From the website:

Rangefinder is the premier monthly magazine for the professional photographer. The editorial content of Rangefinder will assist professional photographers in producing better images while increasing profits. Rangefinder’s in-depth features include product and new equipment reviews; lighting and technical pieces; promotion and management issues; digital imaging tips; information for portrait, wedding, and commercial photographers; black-and-white shooting; and processing techniques.

Regular columns from top photographic professionals include Profiles, Problems and Solutions, Digital Photography, and the RF Cookbook, which has a wealth of how-to information to help you fine-tune your craft. Rangefinder also offers information on competitions and instruction, workshops, industry news, a calendar of events, and future trends.

This being my first issue, I can’t help but think how the heck are they giving this amazingly high quality magazine away for free? The issue I received is the Portrait Issue so the majority of the articles are, obviously, about portraits and portrait photographers. 202 pages of full-color glossy images and articles.

One of the articles that really caught my eye is “Proactive Tips for Fighting Through the Recession“. Very cool, a magazine that is truly timely and coming with the tips to help the pros keep afloat when economic tmes get tough.

So take advantage while the taking is there and get your FREE SUBSCRIPTION to Rangefinder Magazine today!

Runway pzazz, originally uploaded by TabascoKid.

2*3 Photos is holding a casting call!!!

Looking for runway models for a charity fashion show at The Purple Martini in late August. Casting call will be held on July 23 at 7pm at The Purple Martini DTC.

We are looking for female models, preferably with some runway or fashion show experience, 21 and older.

Please come prepared with at least a 2.5″ heel, portfolio and/or headshots and if applicable a resume of past work. Looking for a diverse group of MODELS for this event.

We are offering TFCD/P for this as the event is for charity.

PLEASE RSVP IF YOU ARE COMING OUT TO denver.charity@gmail.com

The Purple Martini DTC is located at 8000 E. Belleview in the Denver Tech Center

The Tech Center location is in the Bellevue Promenade half a mile east of I 25 on Bellevue with free parking in front of the facility.

If you are driving… I-25 to Belleview exit Take the BELLEVIEW AVE exit- exit number 199 Turn East onto E BELLEVIEW AVE/CO-88 E. Continue to follow E BELLEVIEW AVE for +/- ½ mile. Turn right into Belleview promenade shopping center. Look for our Purple Martini Sign and the beautiful people.

***We are also looking for high fashion clothing designers to add to our show. If you are interested please us the e-mail address above to get in touch with us.***