Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

Everyone takes out the camera this time of year. If photographing your tree and decorations... one word... Tripod tripod tripod (ok 3 words) or a suitable stable platform to eliminate the blurries and out of focus images. Use your self timer and turn off image stabilizers. Don’t be afraid to increase your ISO but a 1 to 4 second exposure is not that unusual for incandescent light. Hold still if you get in front of the lens even if you use a little flash. If you can get your pets to hold still then you’ve really met the Christmas tree challenge. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Uploaded by Michael Slear on 23 Dec 10, 10.23AM EST.

sarabella on stairs

sarabella on stairs
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

As we welcome this holiday season and with all the new additions to the Brandon family this year and next. I am reminded of my blessings particularly my children. Now out of sight, a lot, but never out of mind!. They are a constant source of inspiration, hope, pride and love. My hope for your children and mine is ...... That they have a foundation for happiness—a great passion for excellence. Such a passion erases the distinction between work and play, turning toil into recreation—literally re-creation. This is the best gift a parent can give. Merry Christmas Everyone.

Uploaded by Michael Slear on 20 Dec 10, 5.05PM EST.

Astronomer

Astronomer
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

-- Thought I’d share another interest of mine.....”stargazing”. Scanning the cosmos can be rewarding although frustrating without the right equipment. This setup belongs to Steve Elwood, artist and astronomer. The pic was a combination of flash for Steve and telescope and long exposure for the constellation Orion. A tripod was absolutely necessary and Steve had to remain still during the exposure, the ambient lights in the background and the LED’s on the scope were a bonus.

Uploaded by Michael Slear on 14 Dec 10, 8.32PM EST.

cross pocess1

cross pocess1
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

-- From the days of BPS (before photoshop), This unique treatment was known as cross processing. It was simply processing slide film in the chemistry that you would normally process negative film. The slide film would then appear as an unusual colored negative and prints would be a bit grainy and blow out the highlights giving a unique look. There are now plugins for photoshop that simulate the look. Might be hard to find a lab willing to do it today. What do you think Tony? http://www.803labs.com Check out the blog for more tips and clips... mikesphotostop.com

Uploaded by Michael Slear on 9 Dec 10, 12.00PM EST.

Resident Comic

Resdident Comic
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

Stage lighting varies from venue to venue so it helps to have incremental adjustments for the Kelvin temperature of the lights. Tungsten being close to 3200 degrees and sunlight is close to 5550. Your average point and shoot has the capability to adjust for these generally but sometimes having a finer control is desired as here. Then just added a bit of bounce fill flash for the markee. Also a very high ISO. exposure 1/40@f5.6.