I really like this image.  For this one I used a basic two-light setup with two softboxes at 45 degrees in front of the model.  The key light on the right was about 2/3 of a stop brighter than the fill light on the left to add some dimension but keep the shadows and textures soft.  At the end […]

In today’s post I will share my secret to nice smooth skies.  First, I should mention that this is an advanced technique and requires the purchase of a few apps… this one is probably only for those of you who are more serious about creating art with your phone. A properly exposed sky will naturally be […]

3. Post Production (Editing): Post production is the stage where you refine or “polish” your image using software tools.  You don’t want to go overboard with editing otherwise your image will look too phony and unrealistic/unbelievable.  A digital image file can only take so much manipulation before it begins to show signs of it, such as added […]

2: Designing Your Composition: Simply put, composition refers to the way things are arranged in your photograph.  Composition is used to lead the viewer’s eye to what you think are the important part(s) of the picture (called the subject or focal point(s)) and to try and achieve a balanced image.  A good compositional design is what […]

As mentioned in the previous post, iPhone photography plays a large role in my daily creative expression.  Over the last few years I’ve had many ask me how I get such nice quality pictures from my cell phone (iPhone 4).  I’ve even been accused of lying about my Instagram images by a few who couldn’t […]

I love photography.  Even though I have spent a great deal of money investing in quality equipment I know it is not the be-all and end-all.  I have also put in a great deal of time, effort and money into learning the craft of photography, along with a lifetime of general art experience, and I still have a ton […]

I’ve always been a sucker for a nice tail fin!  I figured I’d finish off my series from Chester’s Garage by highlighting some of his restoration work.  This is the same ’57 Fairlane featured in Bill’s portrait from yesterday and, as you can see from the interior and exterior shots, the restoration details are immaculate […]

I was wordy yesterday so I’ll keep it brief today.  Here’s (probably) the last shot I’ll post of Bill; I may put up a few more from his garage but I’m not sure yet.  This one features Bill in a restored 1957 (?) Ford Fairlane.  I’m grateful to have met Bill and to have been invited along […]

This is one of my favorite shots from my time with Bill Chester the other day, and a prime example of why photography is an art (if I can say so without sounding arrogant) and not just a documentary medium.  What I mean is that this shot in no way represents the reality of the […]