The reading list: Some of my favorite photographer biographies

When I’m in a creative rut, I usually spend some time away from the camera and do other things. One of my other hobbies is reading and picking up books on photography always opens my eyes to the experiences of my fellow shutterbugs. So, if you want to get inspired, here are some of the biographies you need to read: 

Image source: Goodreads.com

An Emergency in Slow Motion: The Inner Life of Diane Arbus by William Todd Schultz The late photographer Diane Arbus made life stand out even with her signature use of black and white for her photos. She was known for “exposing” the lives of marginalized citizens in contemporary America and took images that opened the eyes of many in society. Aside from her career as a photographer, the book also chronicles her struggles psychologically and other trials. 

Ansel Adams: An Autobiography by Ansel Adams and Mary Street Alinder This is a must-read book for photographers. In this autobiography that was written shortly before his death, the renaissance man shares his life not just as a photographer but also as a musician, conservationist, and teacher. I particularly enjoyed this book because aside from seeing Adams’ body of work, photographers will be able to relate to his experiences and desires. 

Annie Leibovitz at Work by Annie Leibovitz For the current generation of young photographers, celebrity photos might come to mind when the name Annie Leibovitz is mentioned. Despite the fanfare that comes with most of her work, the famous photographer has a wide range of experience that she shares with her readers. Sharing her stories from her personal life and experience in the field and with famous people, shutterbugs will get a glimpse of her thought process and undeniable work ethic. 

Reading books about other photographers make me feel like I’m in good company. Despite all their fame and influence, at the end of the day, it’s still about hard work, passion, and grit. 

Image source: Amazon.com

Hi there! My name is Peter Benedict. I may be retired, but that does not stop me from taking beautiful pictures of sceneries and being one with nature! Follow me on Twitter for more updates.

Three Tips For Photographing Panoramic Landscapes

Do you have that moment when you’re in a place, maybe a national park or somewhere beautiful, and you just get overwhelmed by its beauty, then you try and get a photograph but the image turned out bland and lifeless? It’s one of the biggest challenges of photography – to convey feelings into an image.

Image source:flickr.com

This is especially true in landscape photography, where subjects are too majestic they can’t be captured in a single frame. One way to do this successfully is to capture it in panorama. Here are some panoramic tips for your next landscape photography.

Shoot in F8 or higher

Shooting landscapes generally doesn’t require narrow depth of field because you don’t need to add a bokeh effect on your shot. You want as much focus as possible, and that means a smaller aperture. Shoot at F8 or higher, F10 for me, is perfect.

Slow your shutter

When you photograph landscapes, there’s a big chance a bird or something will photobomb your image. So slowing your shutter will prevent birds from showing up in the final image.

Image source:australianlight.com

Overlap

When you are in the post-production stage, the rule of thumb should be 1/3 to ½ of each shot should overlap. This will ensure a smooth final image. So during your photoshoot, keep this in mind so you can align your shots so they will overlap accordingly.


Hi there, Peter Benedict here. I’m a retired photographer out of Fresno, California. I write in this blog to give tips and tricks about photography. Visit regularly to get the latest updates.

Protecting Your Camera From The Rain

Image Source: naturephotographers.net

It goes without saying, but nature photography requires photographers to be outside. It is naive to think that taking the best shots are easy -- or completely safe. In fact, it can be argued that the best shots often happen during the worst weather. Novice photographers should be well-prepared for these conditions, including knowing how to protect your camera from the rain. Below are two tips:

Use an umbrella: Sometimes, the easiest solution is the best one. Umbrellas are never really thought of anymore, but many professional photographers still use one when they take their shots. Understand that shooting portraiture or some other type of photography wherein the camera needs to be held will require another gear. However, if the novice photographer is using a tripod, an umbrella is a great and inexpensive solution to consider.

Image Source: adorama.com

Make your own makeshift rain cover: There are many rain sleeves one can buy in stores or online. Nevertheless, there are other inexpensive ways to protect cameras from rain. One recommended way is described here: First, mount the camera on a tripod and install the lens hood. Take a standard plastic bag and pull this over the open end of the camera, lens side first. Stretch a rubber band over the lens and place it at the base of the hood. Photographers should then make a hole in the plastic bag in front of the lens and pull it back toward the rubber band. This should keep the camera relatively safe from water damage. Using a transparent bag can help novices see use their controls.

If all else fails, the best solution would still be to invest in a rain sleeve.

Peter Benedict here. I am a retired photographer who loves taking shots of nature. Follow me on Facebook for more photography tips.

Exploring The Deep Blue Sea: Tips For Beautiful Underwater Photography

Underwater photography is a cool thing to do. As a photographer, I learned to get in touch with the things around me by doing underwater photography. While investing in underwater gear can be tough on the budget, I believe it’s wise if you plan to take up the hobby. If you’re like me and you want to explore the deep blue sea, here are a few tips for you to take beautiful underwater photos.

Image source: dailymail.co.uk

Use your camera’s underwater mode, if you have it

Light behaves differently underwater than on land. As you go deeper, light is filtered out. Going deeper means less light, and what you see with your eyes can be different from what your pictures say. Your camera’s underwater mode helps filter out the blue, so your subject’s real color pops up in the actual photo—just like how you saw them with your own eyes.

Stay close to your subject

If you have a definite subject, stay close to it (but beware of the harmful ones… like sharks and other underwater predators). When you cut the distance of light from your subject, the image will come out clearer and more detailed.

Composition matters

Going underwater does not mean you’ll have to get rid of the photography tips you learned “on land.” Use your creative style to create pleasing images. Remember the rule of thirds, frame filling, and patterns when you go underwater.

Don’t be afraid to use the macro mode

Use your camera’s macro mode to have a closer shot that will make your images one of a kind. It will help show off important details.

Image source: dicoverwildlife.com

Hi, Peter Benedict from Fresno, California here. Read more photography tips when you visit this blog.

The Nature Connection: What It Does To The Human Body

With today’s technology-run world, we forget about connecting with nature. We’re too obsessed with the latest gadgets and all the click-baits on the internet that we lose a part of our humanity. But what happens to us humans when we’re one with nature?

Image source: environmentalgeography.wordpress.com

First off, exploring the great outdoors means we’re exposed to more greens and fresh air. Living in the city exposes us to pollution, thus, going out to breathe air helps the body get rid of toxins. By making a conscious effort to disconnect with our normal activities and take a break by exploring nature is like giving our respiratory system its much needed “spa day.”

Several studies also suggest that being one with nature protects our bodies from various diseases like depression, cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions. We also lower our stress levels by experiencing the quiet nature. While it’s not clear how it happens, exposure to nature promotes physical and mental health. Vitamin D, which the body gets from the sunshine, is also a key player to better health. It is essential for stronger teeth and bones and is also great for the skin.

Image source: goodtherapy.org

I may be retired, but that does not stop me from taking beautiful pictures of sceneries and being one with nature! Read more about photography and anything under the sun by subscribing to my blog. Peter Benedict here.

Three Essential Tips To Photographing Fast Animals

One of the best tips for beginner photographers is to start small and slow – particularly when documenting animals. Such mindset gives newbies enough confidence to move on to fast moving animals and help them develop the skills needed to take that perfect shot. Even experienced nature photographers experience challenges with these types of animals. However, these three essential tips will significantly make the experience easier:

 Image Source: exposureguide.com

Keep still: Remain still while the animals move. Some DSLR photographers suggest using a tripod, especially when shooting with a large and heavy lens, but this can actually be an impediment with smaller, faster animals. You should adjust accordingly depending on the size of the animal you are shooting. All the same, flexibility is key with speed. It is recommended to activate the camera’s image stabilization to help adjust to the animal’s movements.

Do not move: Avoid chasing animals while shooting as this will affect the quality of the shot and can potentially damage the camera. It is best to scope out the territory and decide on a safe place to set-up. If you have to move, adjust for one to two steps only, without having to move any natural flora or fauna.

 Image Source: quora.com

Shoot in daylight: Most photographers avoid using fully automatic settings for animal shots. As such, they typically shoot at f16 or f22 settings for a larger depth of field. A good lighting also helps. Try shooting on a bright, sunny, and cloudless day. You may also want to consider using the camera’s burst mode so that several shots are taken in a short amount of time.

Photography is a truly exciting field, where one can master skills and uncover new passions along the way. For those who do not have any experience photographing animals in their natural surroundings, today is a good day to pick up your equipment and start clicking away.

Peter Benedict loves taking pictures of nature. He doesn’t let his retirement stop him from doing what he loves. Learn more about photography when you follow him on Facebook.