Should you trust the expert?

          This is the first question you should ask yourself when learning new things.  It is important that your sources are trustworthy and that you trust them too.  I understand that some people may not be familiar with my sources and my question their validity on my subject.  The purpose of this blog entry is to lay all your fears, about the validity of my sources, to rest.  Enjoy!

           As stated in my earlier blog entries, I am a huge admirer of Ansel Adams and his work.   To prove that he is a valid and trustworthy source, I would like to list his accomplishments and display a few of my favorite works of his.

            Ansel Adams received a Doctor of Arts degree from both Harvard and Yale universities.  After many years of close work with the Sierra Club he was awarded the John Muir award in 1963.  In 1966, Ansel Adams was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  The Department of Interior awarded him the Conservation service award in 1968.  In 1980, he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  In 1985, the Minarets Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest was renamed the Ansel Adams Wilderness.  In 2007, he was inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

            Ansel Adams also has awards in his honor, like the Sierra Club’s Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography and the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation established by the Wilderness Society.

            He is also the author of many books:

·        Making a Photograph.

·        Camera and Lens: The Creative Approach.

·        The Print: Contact Printing and Enlarging.

·        Natural Light Photography.

·        Artificial Light Photography.

Here are just a few examples of his amazing work.

  

               http://dtrainsnapshots.blogspot.com/2010/12/ansel-adams-photo.html

           

 http://www.all-art.org/20ct_photo/Adams1.htm

 

 http://www.art-wallpaper.org/artist/ansel-adams/index.htm

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01604/Ansel-Adams_-londo_1604537i.jpg

I have also chosen the National Geographic Guide to Photography.  For over one hundred and twenty four years the National Geographic Society has been inspiring beginner photographers like me with their jaw dropping images and scenes. The guide is a combination of advice and tips from their award winning photographers and has been put together and worded in a way that ANYONE could understand it.  The guide is easy to maneuver through and give many examples and links to the photographers themselves.    

Woman in Raft

Photograph by Randy Olson, National Geographic

A woman floats in a raft on Kuril Lake in Kurilskoye Lake Preserve in Kamchatka, Russia.
Embrace Negative Space
Empty space does not mean wasted space. Think of the empty space as an object, and lend the same consideration to its placement as you would other elements in the frame. In this case, negative space and framing work in tandem to reinforce the tranquil and dreamy mood.
Get more tips from Breaking the Rules »
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/best-photo-tips-2011/#/boat-russia-rules_37470_600x450.jpg

     Now everyone should sleep soundly tonight knowing that Cynthia Childress sure does have some valid and trustworthy sources.  I hope you have enjoyed this blog!  Keep posted for more to come!

Getting some expert advice!

            In my last blog I covered the four main areas I plan to learn about and improve on; capturing the moment, finding my focal point, using the available lighting and techniques and formatting.  I have chosen three main resources to help me along.  These resources are: the Autobiography of Ansel Adams, the National Geographic E- Guide to Photography, and the Nikon L120 Users Manual.  Below, I would like to explain why I chose them.

Ansel Adams

An Autobiography

 

http://www.digital-fotografie.us/2011/06/30/ansel-adams-an-autobiography/

I chose this book because he is my favorite photographer.  The way he describes the beauty of his subjects shows his passion and his ability to use and manipulate light shows his genius and his extreme talent.  His close work with the Sierra Club is also something I admire in him.

The National Geographic E- Guide to Photography

 www.workspresso.wordpress.com

            I chose this guide because since childhood I have been mesmerized by their photographs and films.  The photographer’s ability to get right in where the action is and their ability to catch the split second shot I find amazing.  Each photographer has their own strengths and abilities and I enjoy how this guide gives so many different perspectives.

The Nikon Coolpix L120 Users Guide

www.manualowl.com 

I chose this guide for very obvious reasons.  Even though I have owned this camera for almost 9 months now, I still have yet to finish the guide.  I have a hard time learning just reading, I am more of a, learn by doing kind of girl.  I have been concentrating on learning about landscape photography.  I am going on a tiny road tip through Southern Indiana this weekend and I can’t wait to use my new knowledge to capture some great landscape shots!

   

Getting a bit more organized….outline time!!

            I have chosen four main areas to study and improve on.  With the help from my resources I have put together an outline of these areas and how I intend to improve upon them. 

 

Capturing the Moment

∙ Learn to trust my instinct.

∙ Move away from distracting backgrounds or people.

∙ Try to disappear during intimate moments so not to interfere.

∙ Learn to wait and be patient, this is hard for me.

Focal Points

∙ Go lower to the ground where the action is.

∙ Go higher to capture a larger area, even if it’s just a step stool.

∙ Choose a background with out a lot of highlights.

∙ Ask myself,”what am I taking a picture of?”.

Lighting

∙ Find the light, then the shot.

∙ Manipulate the light if possible.

∙ Use a fast lens and try not to zoom.

∙ Calm down!  Shake = Blur.

Formatting and Technique

∙ Finish learning the setting and features of my camera.

∙ Face my subject and rotate with my shoulders.

∙ Practice, “Hail Mary”, shots.  Hold the camera over my head and pray.  These can be fun!

∙ Use a puddle of water for reflection shots.  This sounds fun!

                                                                    "Hail Mary"

                                                        Getting "intimate" with my shot!

                                                       Getting low to the ground.