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.

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.