Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Introducing Madison Camera Style

Looking for some inspirational or a cool new photo project? One of my friends in our local Photography Meetup Group just started a new blog called Madison Camera Style that you might find interesting.



Hi there. My name is Patrick Kuhl and I'm here to introduce my new blog Madison Camera Style. Lately, I have been doing a lot of black and white street photography and also experimenting more with film. To get more inspiration, I have been studying other people's work in this realm, and have been enjoying the perspectives of the people of Tokyo, Japan.

I eventually found, and devoured all of the archives of two sites called Japan Camera Hunter and Tokyo Camera Style. The man who runs Tokyo Camera Style, John Sypal, takes photos of the cameras he sees around Tokyo. He mostly focuses on film cameras there. He's able to do so easily because film photography is still quite popular there.


After discussing it with him via email, I then started up Madison Camera Style. My intent is to focus as much as I can on film photography as well, but that will probably be somewhat difficult, as digital SLRs are always popular here in Madison. Regardless, film is still alive and kicking, and I intend on enjoying and promoting it while I still can. I and my friends Adam and Caroline will be taking shots of people and their cameras, as well as film and film cameras in various shops, in and around Madison.

Hopefully you enjoy it!

Patrick Kuhl
madisoncamerastyle.com
Hosted on Tumblr, so you can follow us there too.
Connect with Patrick via Flickr or on Twitter as @patrickkuhl.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

New Book Alert: Photos Framed by Ruth Thomson


Photos Framed: a fresh look at the world's most memorable photographs (2014) by Ruth Thomson. (I received this book as part of Candlewick's Best in Class mailing program, but all opinions expressed are my own.)

I received this book for review on my teaching blog, The Logonauts but thought that readers of Boost Your Photography would also find much of interest. This photography book is geared towards students but provides a great background in the "photography classics," as it were, for readers of all ages.

Photos Framed contains 27 images from the history of photography organized into four major topics: portrait photography, nature photography, photography as art, and documentary photography. Each two-page spread presents a full-page version of the photograph and a quotation on the right-hand side, paired on the left-hand side with a quick write-up about the photograph itself, the photographer, and questions raised by the image.


This book is a great way to dip into some of the long history of photography as well as some of the issues photography has raised. Classic photographs are presented, such as Ansel Adams' The Tetons and the Snake River or Eadweard Muybridge's series The Horse in Motion, as are more recent images, such as Hugo Bernand's Royal Wedding. The "Photo thoughts" questions force the reader/viewer to contend with issues about composition, framing, and manipulation of the photographs presented.

Despite being marketed to kids, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of photography and of iconic photographs. Take the time to read through this book carefully and engage with the questions asked. You will find yourself thinking more critically about both the photographs that you see as well as those that you will take.





Boost Your Photography: Learn Your DSLR is now available from Amazon. Get the most out of your camera with practical advice about the technical and creative aspects of DSLR photography that will have you taking beautiful pictures right away.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography

Apologies for the lack of new content lately. This has been a busy month with Spring Break and the quickly-approaching end of the school year, but I hope to have some new ideas, advice, and inspiration up soon! Until then, here's another double-dose of A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography.

2014:
  • 5 Must-Read Articles on Food Photography. This great compilation post features five incredible articles about food photography that will help you with all stages of the process, from ideas, to set-up and styling, to shooting, to processing!

  • GorillaPod Tripod Review. A GorillaPod is a specific type of travel tripod with flexible legs that allow you to pose and place it in many different locations. This post fully reviews my thoughts about my own GorillaPod and highlights common situations when a GorillaPod is an invaluable accessory!
  • Make the Shot: droplet refraction. This super-easy technique creates amazing and mystifying photographs. All you need is a piece of glass or plastic, some water, and some colored paper ...


2013:


  • Capture the Seasons: Rephotography. With Spring finally arriving, now is a great time to think about starting a seasonal series. This post offers useful suggestions for choosing an ideal location and making the commitment to return during the course of the year.


  • Macro and Close-Up Photography: Tips and Tricks. This is the fourth and final article in my guest post series on Photokonnexion. It includes an overview of suggestions for depth of field, shooting macro with and without a tripod, and how to combine various methods to achieve super close-in photographic results.

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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography


April marks the 12th and final month for the original Boost Your Photography 52 Weeks Challenge! Or, jump in for a re-boot of #BYP52Weeks starting off at the beginning in January! #BYP52Weeks 2015 will spend April exploring different types and subjects of photography, including sunrise, sunset, landscapes, motion, and street photography.

2014:
  • Product Review: Square Perfect Light Tent. This light tent kit is an easy way to take fantastic photographs of smaller objects, especially for product photography. A light tent is a must-have if you are trying to photograph objects for sale, such as on Etsy or eBay. This is a review of the light tent kit that I personally own and use.

  • Series of Posts on Light Tent. This post is a quick overview to multiple posts about light tents both here, on Boost Your Photography, and guest posts of mine for Digital Photography School. Find out how to use a light tent properly, how to create a DIY version, and a direct head-to-head comparison between DIY and professional light tent kits.
  • Tell a Story with Easter Photographs. This post provides ideas for better Easter photography, as well as how to focus your images around creating a story-telling narrative. *Bonus* directions for unique, tie-dye Easter eggs.

2013:

Wow, we've now made it through another year here at Boost Your Photography! A Year Ago posts will now feature posts published during these same few weeks during any previous year. Enjoy!

Make the Shot: close up eyeball | Boost Your Photography
  • Make the Shot: Close-up Eyeball. Our first 'how to' post provides step-by-step directions (and set up information) for taking a close-up or macro photograph of your own eyeball. 
  • Travel: What's Your Sign? Our first live post, this one provides ideas and inspiration for photographing signs when you travel.

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