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Portraiture, one of the oldest and most captivating photographic genres,
has roots dating back to the earliest days of the medium.

─── by Elizabeth Kahn, May 15, 2024

From iconic figures to everyday people, throughout history, skilled practitioners have sought to capture the essence of others. Compiling a list of its most significant exponents is a daunting task, but this is what we've endeavored to do: select what we consider the best portrait photographers of all time, each of whom has left an enduring mark on the style.

1. Irving Penn

"What I really try to do is photograph people at rest, in a state of serenity."

One of the most influential practitioners of the 20th century, American photographer Irving Penn (1917-2009) was a true master of portraiture who helped shape the genre as we know it today. The stunning images he captured for Vogue had a dramatic impact on the world of fashion photography, and he also photographed some of the most iconic figures from the worlds of art, music, and film. However, his subjects were not exclusively models or 20th-century icons. The portraits he captured during his extensive travels, notably during the mid-1960s to early 1970s, in his makeshift studios, are equally captivating, further demonstrating his skill, artistry, and mastery of the format.

2. Dorothea Lange
American photographer Dorothea Lange ( 1895 - 1965) stands as one of the greatest photographers in the medium's illustrious history, best known for her impactful, humanistic work for the Farm Security Administration during 'The Great Depression'. Over six years, she traversed 22 states, documenting the monumental 'Dust Bowl' migration-the largest in American history-where millions of families fled the drought-stricken Plains States in search of livelihoods and hope. Starkly honest and anthropological, yet imbued with compassion, her images were hugely impactful, bringing a human face to a crisis often overlooked by many Americans embroiled in their own struggles. No image demonstrates this better than her most iconic: 'Migrant Mother', a truly powerful portrait that remains perhaps the most enduring example of social documentary photography in existence.

5. Steve McCurry
"If you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view."
Steve McCurry (b.1950) the American photographer, is perhaps the most prominent figure in photography today, celebrated for his remarkable body of work that encompasses some of the most iconic images of our time. While his oeuvre spans a range of styles, many of his most famous images are portraits captured in everyday settings during his extensive travels. None are more renowned than 'Afghan Girl,' his breathtaking 1984 photograph of 12-year-old Sharbat Gula, which graced the cover of National Geographic the following year. It remains one of the most famous portraits in existence, embodying McCurry's most famous quote (seen above).

7. Seydou Keïta "...I was really in love with photography..."
Mali's other superstar portraitist (alongside Malik Sidibe) Seydou Keïta (1921-2001) is renowned for the balanced sense of formality and acute intimacy he created with his subjects, resulting in captivating portraits that captured the essence of his compatriots during the mid to late 20th century. His resourcefulness and improvisational talent are evident in his photos; he would use household items to create his studio, draping rugs and fabrics over string to fashion backdrops for his portraits, and furnish his studio with various props, from costumes to Vespas. As one of the most esteemed photographers in Mali, people would often travel to have themselves immortalized in their finest attire, bringing with them their most cherished possessions. His vast archive of over 10,000 negatives came to light in the 1990s, earning him worldwide recognition during the latter stages of his life.

9. Helmut Newton "My job as a portrait photographer is to seduce, amuse and entertain."German-Australian photographer Helmut Newton (1920-2004) was a luminary in the world of cinematic portraiture, influencing generations of practitioners with his distinctive style. Drawing inspiration from film noir, Expressionist cinema, S&M culture, and surrealism, Newton's work was creative, captivating, and often controversial. He frequently eschewed studio settings in favor of opulent mansions or upscale hotels, lending his images a voyeuristic allure, which accentuated the eroticism and sense of intrigue for which he is renowned.

10. Annie Leibovitz
"A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people."
Arguably the most influential portrait photographer of our time, American Annie Leibovitz (b.1949) has produced some of the most captivating and iconic portraits in her illustrious five-decade-long career. Renowned for her masterful use of lighting, she has a remarkable eye for color and composition, often integrating elements into her backdrops rather than opting for blank studio settings. Throughout her 5 decade long career, she has photographed many of the most renowned figures from popular culture, including, (perhaps most famously) John Lennon, who she captured naked alongside his wife Yoko Ono just hours before he was murdered.

11. Sally Mann "To be able to take my pictures, I have to look, all the time, at the people and places I care about."
Sally Mann (b.1951) is a master of candid portraiture, celebrated for her deeply personal work often depicting those closest to her. The American photographer gained prominence in the late 1980s with her series 'At Twelve: Portraits of Young Women', capturing the children of friends and relatives in her home state of Virginia. However, it was her series 'Immediate Family' that truly propelled her career. Moving, controversial, and now iconic, this intimate collection predominantly features her three children against the Arcadian backdrop of her woodland summer home in Virginia. Released as a book in 1992, it remains a seminal piece of fine art and documentary photography, continuing to influence and provoke debate today.

12. Bruce Gilden
While Brooklyn native Bruce Gilden (b.1946) is primarily recognized as a street photographer, many of his best-known images are also striking examples of portraiture. However, these images stand in stark contrast to the carefully staged imagery typically associated with the genre. Shot in a distinctive and confrontational manner, often at arm's length from his subjects and utilizing flash, Gilden's portraits are unabashedly direct, offering a uniquely visceral take on what is often viewed as a 'formal' style.

13. Dan Winters
One of the most renowned modern exponents of the style, Californian photographer "It's important as artists to stay true to the path that we are on...Focus on your voice and your vision. Make honest images that are connected to humanity."Dan Winters (b.1952) has, over the course of his impressive career, photographed some of the most famous figures from the world of film, politics, music, and sports. His striking works emanate a brooding intensity, masterfully sculpting subjects with light and form, whilst his use of austere backdrops, reminiscent of Irving Penn's, creates additional impact, further directing focus squarely on the subjects.

14. William Klein
Though he worked across a range of mediums throughout his career, William Klein (1926-2022) is best known as a photographer, whose primary focus was street and fashion photography - often blending the two genres to create unique imagery that left a significant mark on the medium. Despite his lack of personal interest in fashion, the NYC-born photographer who relocated to Paris in 1948, became a prominent figure in the industry during the 1950s and 1960s. His stunning images produced for Vogue magazine were often unorthodox, incorporating techniques such as flash combined with multiple exposures, the use of wide-angle or telephoto lenses, and photographing models on the street rather than in traditional studio settings. These unconventional approaches helped influence a generation of photographers to experiment with new styles and perspectives.

16. Eve Arnold
The first woman to join Magnum Photos, British-American photojournalist Eve Arnold (1912-2012) photographed many of the iconic figures from the second half of the twentieth century. Her striking portraits had a sensitive, natural feel, thanks to her candid approach, use of natural light, and the trust she built with her subjects, no more so than in her intimate depictions of Marilyn Monroe during the late 50s and early 60s.

17. Edward Steichen
Luxembourg-born Edward Steichen (1879-1973) was a hugely important photographer, who, alongside figures like Alfred Stieglitz and Clarence H. White, played a pivotal role in the influential Photo-Secession movement, which advocated for the acceptance of photography as a form of fine art. From 1923 to 1937, Steichen served as Vanity Fair's "Modern Eye," pioneering an innovative genre of celebrity portraiture. Employing techniques borrowed from fine art and stage photography-such as artificial lighting, high contrast, sharp focus, and geometric backgrounds-his images possessed a striking modernist sensibility, laying the foundation for contemporary portrait photography.

19. Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus ( 1923 - 1971) the New York City photographer, remains a somewhat divisive figure, eliciting both acclaim and criticism for her portraits of those on society's margins. While some view her work as "predatory" or "voyeuristic," others argue it is "anti-humanist", yet her impact on the medium cannot be denied. Despite the 'staged' nature of her style, Arbus's portraits possess an informal quality stemming from the intimate connection between her and her subjects, which sets her work apart from many other exponents of the style. However, the ongoing debate surrounding her legacy underscores the complexities of her contribution to photography and the enduring questions it raises about representation and ethics in the art form.

21. Alfred Eisenstaedt
German-American photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898-1995) was a seminal figure of his era, leaving a lasting mark across various genres, particularly street photography, where he pioneered the use of the 35mm camera. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Eisenstaedt defied confinement to a specific industry or style, possessing the ability to capture a diverse range of moments and situations with a sharp eye and masterful composition. His portraiture for LIFE magazine, which depicted some of the world's most famous personalities including Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy, stands as a testament to his skill and artistry, and would contribute to shaping the genre as we know it today.

22. Mario Testino
"My pictures are my eyes. I photograph what I see - and what I want to see."

Peruvian photographer Mario Testino (b.1954) stands among the most prominent fashion photographers of our era, celebrated for his glamorous imagery that strikes a balance between opulence and honesty. He is credited with creating some of the most iconic fashion portraits in recent memory, featured in publications like Vogue, V Magazine, Vanity Fair, and GQ, as well as for the world's leading luxury brands. However, perhaps his most poignant portrait is that of Princess Diana, taken months before her tragic death in 1997.

23. Jimmy Nelson "Through the lens of my camera, I am able to share the extraordinary beauty of our world's vanishing cultures and inspire others to celebrate and preserve their unique heritage."
Jimmy Nelson (b.1967) is a world-renowned, British-born artist who, over the past decade, has traversed the globe to document indigenous cultures facing the threat of extinction. Throughout his career, Nelson has ventured into the most remote corners of the world, capturing striking portraits that serve as a testament to the resilience of these communities. His acclaimed project and photobook, "Before They Pass Away," depicts 35 indigenous communities across the globe who have managed to preserve their unique traditions and practices despite the encroaching forces of globalization and industrialization

25. August Sander "...let me in honesty speak the truth about our epoch and people."
German photographer August Sander (1876-1964) was one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, a master of portraiture, he is best known for his groundbreaking series, "People of the Twentieth Century." This landmark collection comprises over 600 striking black- and-white images, offering a comprehensive cross-section of German society and left a profound mark on the medium, inspiring generations of notable portrait practitioners who followed in his footsteps.

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Portraiture, one of the oldest and most captivating photographic genres, has roots dating back to the earliest days of the medium. From iconic figures to everyday people, throughout history, skilled practitioners have endeavored to capture the essence of others.

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52 photography projects: a great technique to try every week of the year

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(Image: © Sue McArthur / Shutterstock)

Looking for photography projects to stimulate your creativity? Whether you're a beginner who's just learning the ropes or a seasoned snapper in need of inspiration, trying out a new technique can help you grow as a photographer. That's why the list below features our pick of the best ideas to try with your camera.

From painting with light trails to capturing twilight landscapes, there are countless creative ways to use your camera and its lens. This round-up of our favorite weekend projects features suggestions to suit every skill level - whether you're shooting with a smartphone or a 'proper' camera like a DSLR.

Some you can do from the comfort of you home, while others will have you heading out in search of specific scenes. Whether it's a novel technique or an inventive suggestion for finding fresh subjects, every idea below has one thing in common: it should challenge you to try something different and find a fresh perspective.

Most of the projects can be attempted using the equipment you already own. Those that do require additional materials should all be achievable with pocket-money purchases - and if there's any crafting involved, it should be well worth the effort when you see the results.

We've shared 52 of our favorite suggestions to do in 2022 below. Try them all and, in a year's time, there's a good chance you'll be a better photographer, with a keener understanding of your camera and what it's capable of. Plus you'll be all set to attempt the final project: self-publishing a photo book.

The best home photography projects:

1. Water drop art

The basic idea with this project is to suspend a container of liquid and let drops fall through a small hole, then capture the resulting splash. Timing the shutter as the splash is created is everything. We achieved good results using two flashguns set to their lowest power (1/128th), an aperture of f/22 and water mixed with Xanthan gum to make a more viscous solution. We also used a SplashArt water drop kit from PhotoTrigger, which helped to regulate the size and frequency of the drops.

2. Indoor splash shots

For this project you'll need a flashgun that you can fire remotely, a container with clear sides for your water, a coloured background and a tripod. Set up the container and backdrop, then position the flash over the container. With the camera on a tripod and set to manual focus and exposure - f/8, ISO200 and the fastest shutter speed that will work with your flash - drop the object into the water and fire the shutter as it hits.

3. Shapes of bokeh

Out-of-focus orbs of light can add magic to any image, but the bokeh effect needn't be limited to standard circles. From love hearts to stars, a simple cutout filter can transform background sparkles into brilliant shapes.

Using your lens cap as a guide, draw a circle on a piece of card. Cut out the circle, score a small shape in the centre using scissors or a craft knife, then push the card onto the front of your lens (or attach it with an elastic band). When you next shoot a scene, any unfocused light will take the form of your shape.

Use a wide aperture to maximize the effect and remember that, as the filter restricts the amount of light entering your lens, you'll want to set a longer exposure or higher ISO. Try simple shapes such as triangles to get started, before progressing to stars, hearts, crosses and more.

4. Create smoke art

Smoke trails are a firm favourite among still-life photographers. But how about taking it to the next level and using the shapes in a creative Photoshop project. Once you've taken a few good smoke art photos, make a blank document in Photoshop, then copy and paste one of the smoke images into it. Set the blending mode to Screen and use Warp Transform to reshape it. Continue the process to combine a range of smoke shots into a new image.

5. DIY lightbox

Lightboxes are used to illuminate objects evenly against a plain background, often for the purposes of product or food photography. Luckily, you don't have to have a pro budget to make one at home. All you need is a cardboard box, some white paper and a table lamp.

Remove the top flaps, stand the box on one end and cut window holes in either side. Line the box with a single, seamless piece of white paper and cover the holes with thin paper or fabric, taped in place. Then it's as simple as positioning a desk lamp on one or both sides: the paper will diffuse the light, evenly illuminating whatever object you put inside.

Or for an even simpler setup, use a single piece of paper as the backdrop, with one white wall made from card, and position near a window (as pictured). Experiment with aperture and shutter speed to shoot subjects with totally white backgrounds or some shadow for a sense of perspective. Then mix things up with color backgrounds. If the quality is high enough, you could list your images for sale on a stock photography website to earn some lockdown pocket money.

6. Lubricate your lens

Want to give your housebound portraits added glow? If you have a spare lens filter lying around, try an old Hollywood trick: smear a layer of Vaseline on the glass to give your images a soft, dreamy look, keeping aperture wide to emphasize the ethereal effect with a shallow depth of field.

Get experimental by leaving the middle of the filter free from Vaseline to create a halo effect, with the centre in clear focus but the outer elements blurry and soft. Don't want to sacrifice a filter? Stretch cling-film tight across the lens and keep it in place with an elastic band, before using the Vaseline in the same way. If you're not into portraits, try the effect when shooting a light source for a unique style of diffusion.

7. Make your own filters

It's no secret that color is a major element of any image, but you don't need expensive filters or editing software to experiment with saturation. In fact, you don't even need to leave your home: all manner of household objects can function as color filters to bring new hues to your photography - and to transform mundane moments into brighter snaps.

Attach tissue paper to your lens with an elastic band for an instant change of scene, or try shooting through thin fabric with a light source placed behind. Too easy? Take a snap through a laundry capsule for a liquid tone adjustment or use a whisky bottle for sepia shades with a hint of distortion. Petals are pretty effective, too, as are translucent sweet wrappers.

8. Try cross-polarization

This fun project exploits the effect that polarised light has on some plastics. You'll need two polarising filters - ideally one of these should be a sheet of polarising film. You can pick up an A4 sheet of Lee 239 polarising film for £50 (try www.robertwhite.co.uk or www.pnta.com). The sheet of film should be placed on a lightbox or in front of the only light source. An iPad screen and most computer screens have a polarising filter built in, so if you don't have a sheet of polarising film you can always experiment by creating a white document to fill the screen. Simply attach the circular polariser to the camera lens and rotate it to make the colours appear in clear plastic items

9. Food landscapes

Spice up your food photography! All you need is a set of model figures - Hornby 00 gauge figures are perfect, as they're available in a wide range of poses. Preiser has a great range too. The most important aspect is to establish a sense of narrative. Here you can see that there's a conversation between the characters, with the mountaineer on the 'mash face' being helped by his colleagues on the ground.

10. Fine-art food

Try turning your dinner ingredients into photo art using just a lightbox and a very sharp knife. Slice fruit and vegetables as thinly and evenly as possible, then place them on the lightbox. With the camera positioned directly above, use Live View to focus manually on the details. Set an aperture of f/8 to give adequate depth of field, and dial in some exposure compensation of +1 to +3 stops as the bright light can fool the camera's meter into underexposure.

11. Flowers in ice

A relatively inexpensive way of taking 'kitchen sink' close-ups that look great blown up as wall art. Freeze flowers in plastic containers of distilled or de-ionised water (available through your local auto or hardware store). The flowers will float, so try to weigh them down or fasten them in place so that they freeze under the water. Place the block of ice on top of a clear bowl or glass in a white sink or plate, so that the light can bounce through from below. Position a flashgun off to one side, angled down towards it, and shoot from the opposite side.

12. Abstracts in oil

Oil floating on the surface of water is a great way to make striking abstracts. This table-top photo project exploits the refractive quality of oil and bubbles to accentuate and distort colours. All you need to do is place a few drops of cooking oil on the surface of water in a glass dish. Make sure the dish is supported about 25cm about the table top, then place coloured paper under it and use an anglepoise lamp or flashgun to light the paper.

13. Play with fire

It doesn't take a pyromaniac to see the photographic potential of fire, but it does take patience, skill and plenty of precautionary measures to capture a stunning action shot of a match igniting. If you'd rather not risk singeing your fingertips, try a different type of flame photography.

Shooting by candlelight alone can lead to magical results. As with any single source of light, it allows you to experiment extensively with shadows - especially if you're capturing a portrait - while the soft, warm tone and flicker of the flame both contribute to an especially ethereal effect.

In a darkened room, try shooting with a medium-high ISO and a relatively slow shutter speed. Start with just a candle and your subject, before introducing additional elements and playing with positioning. A nearby wall, for example, will throw the candlelight back in different ways, while glass will add to the magic with fiery reflections

Tweak shutter speed to affect the strength of shadows or try adding further flames - though you might need to adjust the white balance if things look more yellow than mellow.

14. Repaint the walls with camera obscura

Familiar with pinhole photography? That technique relies on camera obscura - a natural optical effect that occurs when a small hole in an otherwise sealed space (such as a box) projects an inverted image of the world outside onto the opposite wall. You could make a pinhole camera as an at-home project, or you could go even bigger: with the right setup, you can create the camera obscura phenomenon in an entire room.

First, you'll need to black out a room - for example, by taping opaque sheets over your windows. Then you'll need to make an aperture through which light can enter; the smaller the hole, the sharper but dimmer the image. Camera obscura works best in small/medium rooms, with an aperture of around 10-15mm diameter. Allow your eyes to adjust and determine whether you need to brighten the image by making a larger hole, then marvel as an inverted version of the outside world appears on the wall.

Capture the entirety of this remarkable natural effect using a wide angle, a relatively long exposure and a tripod, or focus on specific elements of your room to emphasis the effect - such as houses appearing to float upside down on your mantelpiece.

15. Camera tossing

Chucking your precious photographic equipment into the air might sound like something designed to void the warranty, but - provided you're not too clumsy - camera tossing can deliver some truly spectacular results. Try it in a dark room with a single light source. Set a shutter speed of around one second (roughly the length of time it'll be in the air) and, as the timer hits zero, launch it upwards. Catching it is the important part, but once you're comfortable with the technique you can experiment with multiple light sources, different colors and even spinning your camera as you release it.

16. Psychedelic soap film

This is a wonderful project that makes for vibrant desktop wallpaper or abstract wall art. You'll need liquid soap mixed with glycerine for long-lasting soap film, plus a wire loop, a black cloth background and a macro lens of at least 100mm. The colours created by soap film only appear when hit by light from a certain angle, so set up near a north-facing window and shoot from around 45 degrees.

17. Refractive art

Light bends when it passes through water, causing the objects behind to change appearance. This is called refraction, and you'll make use of this phenomenon in this arty photo project. All you need is a few glasses, a flashgun, a tripod and a black-and-white pattern print. Simply place the pattern in the background with the glasses in front. Fill them with different levels of water and move the pattern backwards or forwards to fine-tune the effect.

18. Kitchen close-ups

Your kitchen is an ideal location for shooting a macro project. Its reflective surfaces can be used to create interesting backgrounds for your shots, and a shallow depth of field can transform the most mundane of objects you'll find there. Creating a triptych of images can result in a piece of fantastic wall art for your kitchen too, although it's important to think about how they're going to work together before you start shooting. Here, 3 objects - a fork, a bowl of cereal and coffee granules - were all shot from a similar angle, with the impression of height linking the sequence.

19. Invert the world with a crystal ball

Shoot through a crystal ball and, while you won't see into the future, you will capture an inverted version of the scene behind the orb. Just as light is refracted when it passes through the glass elements of a lens, the same thing happens with a glass sphere. There are dedicated photography balls on the market, but the effect can often be achieved using a clear marble or even a paperweight. Nothing suitable? A water-filled wine glass can also work.

All sorts of subjects look good through an orb, from sunsets and cityscapes to abstract items and even portraits. Try shooting with a macro lens to fill the frame with the sphere, or with a wider angle to include some of the scene behind. To really play with perspectives, rotate the image with editing software so that the background is inverted but the scene in the orb is the right way up. You can also incorporate elements that support the ball into the image, such as hands, bowls or miscellaneous objects.

20. Still-life bokeh

Something as simple as a crumpled piece of foil can be the basis for a creative photo project. Position a still-life subject on a sheet of glass with a piece of dark material underneath it. Scrunch up the kitchen foil then smooth it back out and place it in the background. Shine a table lamp or torch on the foil and, with a tripod mounted camera, dial in the lens's widest aperture to create some beautiful ' bokeh'. During the exposure, shine a flashlight onto the subject.

21. Play with shadows

Photography is fundamentally about capturing light, which is exactly why shadows can be so powerful. They can create contrast with lighter parts of a composition or add texture to an otherwise plain subject. They can even be manipulated to tell a story. Incorporating shadows into your images will challenge you to think not just about the objects within a scene, but how things outside of the frame can affect the light that falls within it.

To play with shadows, all you need is a light source and a solid object to block it. This could be something natural, such as the shadow of a tree cast by sunlight. Equally, it could be something man-made, such as the outline of a street sign created by a car's headlights. Or it could be something you create yourself: try playing puppet-master by shining a torch and dancing your hand in front of it.

You can also invert this idea by shooting a subject which is predominantly in shadow and experimenting with how splashes of light fall upon it.

22. Still life light trails

Light trails can be used in all kinds of photography, but they're perfect for a creative still life project. You can use a regular Maglite torch, but try removing the end to reveal the bulb and make the light more direct. Use some electrical tape to attach a coloured sweet wrapper, which you can use as a makeshift 'gel'. Set the canera's shutter speed to around 30 secs with an aperture of around f/8, then start moving the torch within the frame before pressing the shutter. Continue the movement throughout the exposure. Here, we suspended the torch from a piece of string and made a gentle circular movement to create a spiral around the bottle.

23. Light spirals

You'll need to attach a torch, suspended by string, to an open area of ceiling. Fit the widest lens you have on your camera, and mount it on a tripod pointing straight up. With the light turned on, autofocus on the tip of the torch and set the lens to manual focus to lock the setting in. With an aperture of f/11 or f/16 dialled in, use Bulb mode and a remote release to keep the shutter open for a minute or so as you send the torch spinning in the dark...

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52 photography projects: a great technique to try every week of the year

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(Image: © Sue McArthur / Shutterstock) Looking for photography projects to stimulate your creativity? Whether you're a beginner who's just learning the ropes or a seasoned snapper in need of inspiration, trying out a new technique can help you grow as a photographer.

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We see beautiful photos on Instagram everyday, and most of them look like they've been shot on elaborate sets with an entire team of professionals. But that is not always the case.

LA-based photographer Geo Leon proves that sometimes all you need is a keen imagination and some Photoshop magic to create stunning images that turn heads. He captures his subjects in everyday locations using interesting photography techniques, clever lighting, and relevant props. Most of the time he is assisted by his wife Michelle or his friend Chris. The shoots last around 1-2 hours.

Geo uses Photoshop for editing and retouching. He spends around 1.5 to 3 hours per image, and turns the raw photo into a stunning final composite. He showcases the BTS images and the final images side-by-side, and the results are hard to believe in most cases. Check out some of his work below.

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Geo also shares his Photoshop tips and tricks in a series of tutorials available here. Share this post with a photographer friend and voice your views in the comments below. All images © Geo Leon. Source: Bored Panda

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Photographer Shows Off Crazy Skills By Sharing Behind-The-Scenes Photos With The Final Photos

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We see beautiful photos on Instagram everyday, and most of them look like they've been shot on elaborate sets with an entire team of professionals. But that is not always the case. LA-based photographer Geo Leon proves that sometimes all you need is a keen imagination and some Photoshop magic to create stunning images that turn heads.

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https://apple.news/AAXJPN7ZXTlqW9Y4ibgtBIg

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THE LAB: EVOLUTION | Growing Creativity One Photo at a Time

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THE LAB: EVOLUTION | Growing Creativity One Photo at a Time

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https://apple.news/AQmVZhABfTWOGFaMykkNwiA

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https://youtu.be/2BqkwVhYUMk

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http://web.archive.org/web/20161208205759/http://100photos.time.com/

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A Photography Blog - Inspirations, Tutorials, Tips, Interviews and Showcases

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A Photography Blog - Inspirations, Tutorials, Tips, Interviews and Showcases

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A photography blog provides tutorials, tips, video articles, photographer interviews, photography showcases, inspirations, photo stories, street photography

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https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIXBgevh7IJIIUQ5A5Ju1Nfg5RaE4fOW

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Incredible Photography Hacks
This photographer has some seriously creative hacks for getting the perfect photos 😮👏
Posted by UNILAD on Wednesday, September 8, 2021

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Lynne Paske posted this last year. It’s called witnessed to history. I was planning on using it again. It does have the jumping man in it but many others and it talks about photojournalists. It’s a nice 12 ish minute clip. I hope it’s OK to re-share her work! it’s been a great resource to me. It’s on Ed puzzle.

https://edpuzzle.com/media/5f5a40fe498bdd3f3a54c88a?fbclid=IwAR3LEmwCIi72DtRLSysyGo1_uIhBIIqe66pp_V7ru7o8QlHG18HDuCVWklg

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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/01/learning/40-more-intriguing-photos-to-make-students-think.html

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Wf6HqKI03L0KfFSrXqk4FhSgT6ji8RBXp3OF2ekTl9o/mobilepresent?slide=id.p

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https://www.theclickcommunity.com/cmdownloads/PhotoHunt2021/Click-Community-Photo-Hunt-2021-List.pdf?eid=MPPbZbPwR4bj3M7bE2vCfAOZaf5i9NZr8iLSBWZc531oEuo2ecJp1MQsTKkqTVfzfh5xMtPJ2pCZ6D7j3gt9IvGeWfdmfRUVhdQbpAZOucCcUOXH1Q%3D%3D

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https://aperture.org/editorial/

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https://sites.google.com/view/suefarrimondtutorials/creative-photography?authuser=0&fbclid=IwAR0gBPHv4Lb9muSl8aOsMapcoubCWWsbxQAgivNC-1lvQ1DEOYkk1wPNQj4

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https://aperture.org/on-sight/?fbclid=IwAR22pyVpBT7R4fL3KOCuHn_qAPbSivjqwARj3cxdQJMaAZyU6Ea96CrWowo

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1d9gN-Aoz0BV69LucVhGtHJDsuhZUhOPGbAgKUanROW0/mobilepresent?slide=id.p

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16QbGnrnOqa9XfP3Z1d7KNFp0vOj5ohMqQ6KTGO1xUYM/mobilepresent?slide=id.gc6f980f91_0_0

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16QbGnrnOqa9XfP3Z1d7KNFp0vOj5ohMqQ6KTGO1xUYM/mobilepresent?slide=id.gc6f980f91_0_0

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https://ashleightaylorportrait.com/blog/guide-to-using-instagram-market-your-photography-business-amp-book-clients?fbclid=IwAR0pnMB3sc-Wh3FlWDwjgdrYMJSO_id0F5XzHriMRbXKCY8bNFN5hI92w9I_aem_Aa1s_zUFi9yA2Zyy55ST-p_pycRxHES8ftCj-bX-l_pJvvas4B_UOiOf6Pc-pbrfwQqMJaSUzEq6kezJfliI2J7BOYS5vPfRkdeP2-vCXBbmw68YXufuiZETSGS9_SbtmPc

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR0ksYCLnx0-emFPC367xjaqHa4NZvIuxfSN-48der2dy1wyeMD32dyusKo&v=wpM499XhMJQ&feature=youtu.be

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12-5qxEp09a4qCaq0r4YAthjaH4H6MkvO8bDJPsim8ls/mobilepresent?slide=id.p

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/18V2zsBJqZpfILJPM0_BNRn7HcO0RpYrGohf2rrY-Zhc/mobilebasic

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https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-photographers-reexamine-consent?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=editorial&fbclid=IwAR3EvpwDIAk48q55vEBs1HsfjF4oS3JSjI1NVdRC7oXR2goEtBJ0mWPTz0w

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR14caBqWXr83neWpH-prxkJeQDqz4lp-zqUUTDd72GVHHZDVdq0RqiHz2A&v=ZOxsfKQWrUg&feature=youtu.be

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https://mcusercontent.com/7297f35287e24cb966169d6e1/files/63cb3ad7-336c-47c4-9b7c-9a32938a59e3/MagnumPhotos_WearGoodShoes_2ndEdition_1_.pdf

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https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/creative-photography-ideas

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https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/creative-photography-ideas

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https://artsandculture.google.com/project/kandinsky

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The Silver List was compiled from the suggestions of over 125 nonprofit photography curators, scholars, publishers and critics.

We asked them to list up to ten artists who fit the following criteria:

They love the artist's work and feel it should be seen more widely
The artist uses the medium of photography (however they define it)
The artist is early in their career (however they define it)
The artist is living

The Silver List contains the artists who were suggested the most times, and it is organized randomly. Our hope is that this methodology will spotlight outstanding, diverse, and sometimes overlooked artists for a broad new audience.

This is not Silver Eye's "best of" list. It is a snapshot, taken in the winter of 2020/2021, that shows the thoughts of a professional community who cares deeply about contemporary photography.

The idea for this survey was adapted from The Black List, which has applied this methodology to screenplays since 2005.

The Silver List is a partnership between Silver Eye Center for Photography, The Black List, and Carnegie Mellon University. The idea for the Silver List came from James Thomas Wang, a senior studying Statistics & Machine Learning, and Photography at Carnegie Mellon University. Generous guidance and assistance for this project came from Franklin Leonard, the founder of The Black List and Joseph B. Kadane, the Leonard J. Savage University Professor of Statistics and Social Sciences Emeritus at Carnegie Mellon University.

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The Silver List was compiled from the suggestions of over 125 nonprofit photography curators, scholars, publishers and critics.

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With stay-at-home orders in place across much of the country, many people are feeling more isolated than ever. That's why photographer Stephen Lovekin is capturing Brooklyn residents through their apartment windows, a series that stands as a reminder that none of us are facing this difficult ordeal alone.

Titled " Words at the Window: Self Isolation and the Coronavirus," Lovekin's powerful portraits show people at home, holding up handwritten signs featuring messages of hope and resilience through the window pane.

A staff photographer for Shutterstock, Lovekin had been shooting New York's increasingly empty streets, documenting our new normal of face masks and social distancing. But he was also interested in how people were coping with the situation behind closed doors.

"I began to feel compelled to document this unprecedented time in our history," Lovekin recently told the Washington Post. A resident of the Ditmas Park neighborhood in Brooklyn, he started checking in with neighbors "to see how they were feeling and to see what message, if any, they would like to share with the world, whether they be personal, political, or spiritual."

Shooting through the window was a natural choice for the artist. Windows frame our view of the world and, from the street, they offer a glimpse into the interior lives of others.

The first image in the series features a 91-year-old artist who lives alone and is still making new work in her top-floor studio apartment. "I was inspired by her dedication to her work," Lovekin said in a statement.

The photographer began sharing the images on social media and was soon inundated with requests to take part in the project. "I feel like I'm busier than when things were normal!" he said.

"I hope that in this time of chaos and uncertainty," Lovekin told the Post, "this project will help people feel more connected to the outside world even though we are all literally separated from one another for an unknown amount of time."

See more photos from the series below.

Want to stay ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the breaking news, eye-opening interviews, and incisive critical takes that drive the conversation forward.

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This Brooklyn Photographer Is Capturing Inspiring Signs Held Up in the Windows of Self-Isolating Neighbors-See Them Here

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With stay-at-home orders in place across much of the country, many people are feeling more isolated than ever. That's why photographer Stephen Lovekin is capturing Brooklyn residents through their apartment windows, a series that stands as a reminder that none of us are facing this difficult ordeal alone.

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practice content featured projects galleries recorded forums and artist talks photographs to fathom Make Me Feel photography, the pandemic and resiliency #lifeatsixfeet forums & salons recorded forums and artist talks practice groups - boundaries skill-share

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https://digital-photography-school.com/getting-started-in-toy-photography/

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https://www.behindtheshutter.com/photoshop-vs-lightroom/

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https://blog.bloom.io/how-to-get-more-photography-clients-3-easy-steps-to-success/?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Timofey&fbclid=IwAR1S2qc3BR3gsuOQVhgehKlmghbSCELtL4fp3kYpv2y-ZkWbY4tJpChmLWs_aem_AferH7ALhOCw3FzOb0x42tSZuWxvPuLWfy_Cfi_uTmjlWoRxNYfZOZQKGqupOYouXxEHoe1st15cBZSzfLCFC2LhsO2qRsmx5xzmqazvecUEwA

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https://clickitupanotch.com/over-100-photography-tips-and-tutorials/?fbclid=IwAR0Aaa59P7p8-C2nNm-BOvPZ7OrSSuoJ1D4dmGSfeb6h7uYs9oQ9ZrTbKhM

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PicMonkey's new Draw Tool lets you draw on a photo, doodle on images, scribble on pics, and write on your designs. You can create how you wanna with the new Draw Tool-choose from Pencil, Paint Brush, or Spray Paint to give your designs a fun, sketchy, custom look.

Plus, every drawing that you make saves as its own layer and that means you can apply textures or effects to it! And, save a drawing on a transparent background as a PNG for a cool custom sticker or logo you can use again and again.
Let's learn how to use the Draw Tool!
Quick steps: How to draw on a photo

1. Click Create new to open an image in PicMonkey. Either your own or a stock photo.

2. If desired, make adjustments (crop, colors, effects) to the image.

3. Open the Draw tool from the tool tabs menu on the left (the pencil icon).

4. Select the drawing tool you wish to use: Pencil, Paint Brush, or Spray Paint.

5. Use the Size, Hardness, and Strength sliders to adjust your stroke appearance.

6. Choose colors from the color picker.

7. Draw away! When finished, click Apply.

The drawing is now its own layer which you can further customize like you would with any graphic overlay in PicMonkey.

Detailed steps: How to draw on a photo

Now, let's dive into the details and learn step-by-step how to create a design using the draw tool. Plus, a little bonus tip at the end for how to create your own graphics using draw.

1. Open your photo in PicMonkey

To get started, first click Create new from the PicMonkey homepage and choose where your image is stored. No image? No problem! Browse our enormous stock photo library to find an image to draw on. Think about the photo having enough space to accommodate your drawing or handwriting. Also consider the contrast-if the photo is too dark drawing in color on it may not work out so well, for instance.

Now is a great time to make any adjustments to your photo, so go ahead and crop or remove the background, apply a filter effect or adjust the colors before you begin drawing.

2. Select the draw tool

Onto the Draw Tool! Select the pencil icon from the left tool tabs menu to open the Draw tool. You'll see three different drawing tips to choose from- Pencil, Paint Brush, or Spray Paint -select the drawing tool you wish to use.

3. Adjust the draw stroke & colors

After selecting your drawing tip, the adjustments panel will show all the options available to you for customizing the look of your drawing. Use the Size, Hardness, and Strength sliders to adjust your stroke appearance, and choose the color you wish to use-we've started you off with six popular colors but you can choose any hue you like from the spectrum tab.

4. Draw and apply

Draw away! Place your cursor on the canvas and click and drag to draw. You can change the size and color of each stroke if you want. You cannot switch between tips, however, until after you click Apply.

Draw straight lines by holding down SHIFT while you draw.

Note that if you click Cancel that the whole drawing you've created so far will be gone, so if you just want to undo your last stroke only, use the undo arrow on the bottom tool bar.

Once you've clicked Apply, your drawing now becomes its own layer. You can create as many drawing layers as you like and rearrange them from the Layers Panel.

5. Customize the drawing layer

Now that your drawing is its own layer you can customize it like you would with other graphics. Apply a textures to your drawing, use effects, crop, rotate, add a drop shadow, or adjust the opacity with the Fade slider. From the Layers Panel, you can move your drawing graphic so it's behind or in front of other layers.

Bonus! Create your own graphic with the draw tool

Make your own custom graphics with the Draw Tool by drawing on a transparent background and saving it for later in Hub. If you plan to export it to share or use elsewhere, be sure to download it as a PNG to preserve the background transparency. When you want to add it to a design in PicMonkey later, go to Graphics (on the left tool tabs) > choose Add your own graphic > select it from Hub.

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How to Draw on a Photo | Photo Editing Tutorial | PicMonkey Blog

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PicMonkey's new Draw Tool lets you draw on a photo, doodle on images, scribble on pics, and write on your designs. You can create how you wanna with the new Draw Tool-choose from Pencil, Paint Brush, or Spray Paint to give your designs a fun, sketchy, custom look.

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https://theartyteacher.com/photographers-themes/?fbclid=IwAR3k8ITEhM6D5dR4-Oe34ESr71U7cAk_-cIJnu4GwDiZfljYa08lSblIB20

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https://youtu.be/3iCaDJoqcNY

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https://youtu.be/VArISvUuyr0

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Photographer shooting portraits of families during pandemic 2021

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Photographer shooting portraits of families during pandemic 2021

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https://youtu.be/zd3TtPdAdTM

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https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/orange-label-website-assets/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/08095454/21-OLAA-0012-2021-Social-Media-Trends_V1.1.pdf

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https://www.nwea.org/blog/2019/75-digital-tools-apps-teachers-use-to-support-classroom-formative-assessment/

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https://www.lightstalking.com/8-common-landscape-photography-mistakes-beginners-make/

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https://group-f22.com/?fbclid=IwAR3UfKO3b8z1Mxv4yP8s9-RFeOwwEoyeb3vLQIDvuVsE4RcFc3E_pS4tBr8

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR34NrEUeT9coUa1zArxZ9vUN7c3OU3too_IyPHV59WNOVognfCpRCK5uRg&v=gQ-_UneWQcU&feature=youtu.be

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https://www.behindtheshutter.com/boudoir-photography-and-the-art-of-storytelling/?fbclid=IwAR3a22FQlFiWj6__RmJK9zZxSPiuTvl2qOcSz0D7J-pelEphNbCzKcmYCZk%2Baem_AXPggV0ss4z2jvjkgTdLAOFfE4s0_t1oq_kJorWLoQqQctv58O3e0T1qXdLQMdPeNlEp5ZM-hbtaYaYqYnqP-O7ASTAjHjYjAFqal3M4gXCfuo5BeI9y3rAiL02HUXZYJaI

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https://sites.google.com/view/suefarrimondtutorials/home?fbclid=IwAR0HX4mt-dxVh872343aPF5CHVx3RCx6QkLiK1ZX-0IDJRuzC2rVnCgH5yc

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https://sites.google.com/epsb.ca/photography/home

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2WWSvl4q1AwosL3PX1n7nMRIYt8y-rzarHzKsMwIVRQ2H8qHDXHXeabN4&v=-2Y7o7ESMxU&feature=youtu.be

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Porsche 911 During the Le Mans 24 Hours - 1/30 second shutter speed
What Is Shutter Speed?

Every camera has a physical shutter, like a curtain, that opens and closes to expose the sensor to the light coming in through your lens when you press the shutter button. The length of time that this shutter is open is called the shutter speed and also sometimes referred to as 'exposure time'. Shutter speed is one of the three sides of our exposure triangle, along with aperture and ISO, that allow us to control the brightness of our image. These three things work together to give us both creative control and also exposure control for our photos. We can select a fast shutter speed that freezes any action in a photo, or we can select a slow shutter speed that introduces 'motion blur' to any moving objects within our image.

Combining a panning motion of the camera (left to right, or right to left movement) with a slow shutter speed can be used to give a sense of speed, as in the car photo that opens this article. It gives a sense of movement to the car, but doesn't blur out any of the car's detail if you keep the car in the same spot in the frame as you pan. With the running water in the photo below, the static camera but blurry water gives the water a sense of fluid motion. When you are taking a photo with your camera in a semi-automatic (TV/AV) or manual exposure mode, then consideration must be given to the required shutter speed for your subject. Most of the time we are looking to freeze our subject with a fast enough shutter speed and capture that one singular moment, but sometimes the creative effect of a slower speed can also be desirable. What shutter speed is fast enough? Well that will depend on your subject! Further down this article there's a handy reference guide that'll get you started with some typical scenarios.

How is shutter speed measured?

A camera's shutter speed is measured as a fraction of a second for all speeds that are under a second. For example 1/250 means one two hundred and fiftieth of a second, or 1/8 means one eighth of a second. The shutter speeds that are available to choose from might vary depending on the type of camera you are using, but typically a DSLR will go from 1/4000 all the way to 30 seconds. Further down this page you'll find a handy reference chart that shows all of the standard options in between. Some pro level DSLRs will allow even faster speeds than 1/8000 and many will have 'BULB' mode for shooting at longer than 30 seconds. This mode keeps the shutter open for as long as you hold down the shutter button.

If you double your shutter speed then the shutter will be open for half the amount of time so you half the amount of light that's reaching the sensor. This is therefore equivalent to a 1-stop change in exposure. To maintain the same overall exposure in our image, we must remember the exposure triangle and either double our ISO, or open up our aperture by one stop to compensate.

Water running through a creek - 14 second shutter speed
Do you know what your shutter speed is?

Shutter speed is an important parameter for your exposure so it's displayed prominently on all cameras. On a DSLR you'll typically find it in the LCD on the top right-hand side of the camera, as well as displayed beneath the image within the viewfinder. To save space in the display, cameras do not show the speed as a fraction, so if you see ' 500' in the display, this means your shutter speed is actually 1/500 second. For exposure times of 1 second or longer, these are typically displayed with a " to denote seconds for example 1″, 10″ or anything up to 30″.

If you are using a point and shoot camera, or a DSLR with liveview, then the shutter speed will usually be displayed somewhere around the extremity of the image on your main LCD. If you can't see it, press the 'info' button to cycle though various on-screen displays until you see all the exposure information.

Controlling your shutter speed

In your camera's fully automatic modes, usually designated with a ' P' or an ' A', you won't have direct control over the shutter speed that's chosen for your photo, though you might be able to influence the camera's decision by choosing a ' scene '. These are usually simplified situations like 'sports' or 'landscape'. A sports mode will select a faster shutter speed to stop the action, whereas a landscape mode will choose a slower speed and therefore favour a smaller aperture instead.

My goal for you guys though is to get away from using these automated exposure modes and to give you the knowledge to become confident in modes like shutter priority, aperture priority and eventually fully manual exposure mode. When learning about shutter speeds, TV mode (sometimes also designated by an S) is the best to use. This mode is called shutter priority and it allows us to have direct control over the shutter speed, whilst allowing the camera to select the appropriate aperture to get a correctly exposed photo. When a camera is put into shutter priority, particularly DSLRs, it's almost always the small control wheel right next to the shutter button that allows you to adjust your shutter speed. Using TV mode is a brilliant way to experiment because you can very quickly change your shutter speed to a variety of settings and see the resulting outcome on your LCD screen.
Eagle in flight - 1/2000 second shutter speed
Shutter Speed Chart

Most DSLRs give you the option to choose whether your exposure is adjusted in 1/2 stop, or 1/3 stop increments. The chart below provides you with the common shutter speed options in today's digital cameras. What you'll notice if you study it closely is that sometimes, the camera's chosen value is a slight approximation as some fractional speeds would not be practical to use or display on the camera or in the EXIF data of your image file.

Remember: Each step along the full stop scale equates to a doubling (or halving) of the light that reaches your camera's sensor.

Shutter Speed Guidelines

If you're just getting started with your photography then the following table will give you some general guidelines. It's important to remember though that there's very rarely any concrete 'rules' in photography as part of the whole process comes down to your own style and creativity. On top of this, other techniques often come into play and the very top image of the race car is a good example of this. It might be an action shot, but I used specific technique called 'panning' with a very low shutter speed to give a sense of how fast the car was going.

Remember: Use this table as a starting point, but by no means is anything set in stone. Don't let it hold back creativity!

Racetrack Playa star trail
Downhill mountain biker - 1/800 second shutter speed
Angle and position of lens to subject

An often overlooked part of choosing the correct shutter speed is the position of the lens relative to your subject and this is why the table above should only be used as a guide and not a gospel. It's easier to freeze motion when your subject is coming right towards the camera, than when it's crossing perpendicular to your lens. If we take the mountain biker in the photo above as our example, you can see that he's coming almost directly at me and I was able to freeze him perfectly at 1/800 of a second. Had I been standing side-on to the biker as he passed me, 1/800 would not have been nearly enough to make it look sharp in the final image. The relative change of position of the subject is very different during the exposure in those two scenarios. When the bike is coming right at me, as in this photo, he's roughly in the same spot in the image throughout that 1/800 of a second exposure time. If I was side-on to him though, during that 1/800 of a second, he would be moving a considerable distance from left to right (or vice-versa). So when most people look at freezing action, they tend to think about the speed of the subject first, but in fact great consideration should be given to the angle at which you intend to shoot them. You can even use this to your advantage! Imagine you are trying to shoot this same mountain biker and the light level is getting low. Switch it up to shoot him from this frontal position and you'll be able to continue shooting for much longer in the low light than you'd be able to if you were shooting him side-on. If your subject is moving diagonally across your frame then you'll need to choose a shutter speed somewhere in the middle of what you'd pick if he was parallel or perpendicular to your lens.

Physical positioning of the lens can also have an impact on the required shutter speed. If you shoot action close-up with a wide-angle lens then your subject will cross much more of your frame in a given time than they would if you used the same lens but stood 10ft further back. This means that the closer you are to your subject, the faster the shutter speed is needed to freeze motion. On the contrary though, if you are looking for a panning photo with a blurry background, you'll be able to achieve a greater blur at a faster shutter if you place the lens and subject close together. Always look for ways to use these things to your advantage!

How to get a faster or slower shutter speed

Sometimes you'll find that the ambient lighting conditions appear to be holding you back from choosing the shutter speed that you really want to use. This is when we really need to think about that exposure triangle of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. To get the longest exposure time possible in bright daylight, we need to have the lowest possible ISO and the smallest possible aperture. If that still doesn't get your shutter speed slow enough show the motion you want in your photo, then you need to look at using a neutral density filter on your lens. This filter doesn't apply any special effects, it simply darkens the lens and with less light coming in, you're able to shoot with a longer shutter speed to get the correct overall exposure.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you are struggling to get a fast enough shutter speed, typically in a low light situation like indoors or after the sun has gone down, then you'll need to open up your aperture as far as it will go (move it to the smallest number). If this still doesn't get your shutter speed up to the necessary setting, then you'll need to increase your ISO. Remember the exposure triangle and how everything doubles. If you double your ISO, you'll be able to double your shutter speed and still maintain the same overall exposure.

On using tripods
Death Valley, California
Clearly it's not possible to experiment with some of the speeds we've talked about in this article without a tripod. The speed at which you'll need to use one will depend on both the focal length you're shooting at, and also whether your lens has image stabilization or not. Many of today's new lenses have a 4-stop image stabilization and this means that you can shoot at much slower shutter speeds than you would be able to without IS. If you pick a shutter speed in the table above, and then scroll down 4 full stops you will be able to see what a big difference this can make! A general rule of thumb that you'll often hear referred to is that your camera will require some additional support when you shutter speed needs to be less than 1/[Focal Length]. So if you are shooting with a 50mm lens, you might consider using a tripod if you are experimenting with shutter speeds that are less than 1/50 second. Again, stabilization might come into play, as will your own technique, so this is a mere guideline.

For very long shots like start trails and photos with running water in them, a tripod is going to be a necessity though. I would caution you against buying the cheapest one you can find though because in my experience they don't last very long and you'll only end up buying a new, more expensive one later on. A good tripod should last many years though and an excellent tripod could last you your entire life (or career). Some excellent brands to check out would be:

On using flash to stop action
Skier flying high in New Zealand - 1/250 shutter speed with flash
I want to touch on this briefly, but an in-depth look at the how and the why of this technique is best saved for its own article. When shooting with a flash, you are often limited to the shutter speed that you can use. This upper limit of shutter speed is often referred to as the X-Sync speed or 'cross sync'. Essentially it's the fastest speed that you can use before the physical motion of the camera's shutter begins to interfere with the burst of light from the flash. If you could push past this speed (many cameras won't let you), the result would be black bands across your image where the actual shutter is getting in the way of the light from the flash. You might think this would be extremely limiting when it comes to shooting fast moving objects with flash, but the situation isn't as bad as it seems. The example image above was shot with a shutter speed well below what you would normally think you'd need to stop action, yet it's tack sharp! How is this?

The flash burst itself is actually helping us stop the action here because whilst the shutter speed it 1/250 second, the bust of light from the flash is only illuminating the subject for 1/1000 of a second. For 1/250 of a second the camera's shutter is open and ambient light is slowly painting in the background of the shot, then for just l/1000 of a second, the flash pops and paints in the skier in the sky nice and sharp. I'll cover this topic in much more detail later on but it's good to be aware of the basics so you can keep an eye out for people using this technique.

If you've read the posts about understanding shutter speed, aperture, ISO and the exposure triangle, you should have a solid foundation for your photography. We've designed a quick quiz with 12 questions that will bring everything together and make sure you are ready to move onwards.

You might also like:

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Understanding Shutter Speed + Shutter Speed Chart

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Porsche 911 During the Le Mans 24 Hours - 1/30 second shutter speed Every camera has a physical shutter, like a curtain, that opens and closes to expose the sensor to the light coming in through your lens when you press the shutter button.

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR06VQpK59P-ZkOXFhPTp99R3h8yW709Jyhbhkb6qhXKjjlUUM6vF_l8428&v=GYo401snZTA&feature=youtu.be

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1DkYCtkT2mixyIul8QxYBxOHaWiYjlM8C2vLP2d2aqM_Er8MkOoSMuB9s&v=7I648iFw4EA&feature=youtu.be

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https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/01/confederates-in-the-capitol/617594/?surface=meter_limit_reached&article_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Fideas%2Farchive%2F2021%2F01%2Fconfederates-in-the-capitol%2F617594%2F

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https://newrepublic.com/article/160822/war-photographer-embeds-capitol-hill-mob?fbclid=IwAR2VNjYU5HMOSsvXazL_RZwHwFBWR_98dvTIgudOhG_Oqh-9W2nJYSgK3O4

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1xl4qgOTpszCzOXP0ePq4thSNnRkdg3Mq4vAeX912Izbu09ZKYPFyvXfk&v=lby69H2PJzE&feature=youtu.be

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https://sites.google.com/view/suefarrimondtutorials/image-editing-and-creation/photography-basics-2?fbclid=IwAR2iQIHvs4DweTOyvRWyFyuNFGfscE8GGg4Za17iZyrJbL1ujaTZOmBRHiw

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A good video to watch as a class, Titus Kaphar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDaldVHUedI&ab_channel=TED

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PetdVS05Pg99E-BFjOkb0LOHVDbTl2_JD6QoiDROx8M/mobilepresent?slide=id.gaa15ff22a4_0_59

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FYI https://iphonephotographyschool.com/best-photo-editing-apps/

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https://www.diyphotography.net/is-video-game-photography-becoming-a-new-genre/?fbclid=IwAR2PhZB3R9qC1v_q0Mfk6bZv-UZxmmLDKldmv8ZEqXZlAoVBvoVXdQg8cCo

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https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/1WbNR5gvPDw9XB2y0pe_337n77DHX4sNw?usp=sharing&fbclid=IwAR0N4fnzwc6wZ3RWbXlWGtDvF4EwgsINjYRWBxEvgnInCP0lvP6c4YcCL14

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Day 8: Slow Shutter Speed & Light Painting

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kQfPyfkZmWV2NJnkgkqTB1W5Lpvox4C0ZWWeGQQ-3TI/mobilepresent?slide=id.g81452a57f9_1_71

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Why Your Photos are not coming out great.

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Why Your Photos are not coming out great.

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14 Practical Reasons Your Photos Are Not Quite As Good As You Want Them To Be | Photzy

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When you take out the camera to photograph, you almost always have certain expectations from the photo. You want the photo to capture how you saw or imagined something.

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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1P-fcj_MrQlOV_dllutUx7EmZLOadxTNMN5SJRLWtce0/mobilepresent?slide=id.ga6415daea0_0_143

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Adobe max using Lightroom Mobil to control shutter speed

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Adobe max using Lightroom Mobil to control shutter speed

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https://www.adobe.com/max/2020/sessions/creating-great-images-with-your-phone-part-1-viewp-l6430a.html

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When it comes to photography challenges I like to participate in ones that teach me and push me as a photographer. This 30 day photo challenge will help you grow. I can guarantee that if you take a picture everyday for 30 days you will see growth in your images. However, why not join one that pushes you to learn all new types of photography skills that you can continue to use?

Join our 30 day challenge to get photography ideas to use each day when you pick up your camera.

What is a 30 day photo challenge?

A photography challenge is a way to push your photography skills. You take a picture everyday for 30 days. When joining a challenge like this most people like to have a prompt since they may feel they don't know what to photograph each day. By following a challenge, you have a guide to help you each day.

Why should I do a 30 day photo challenge?

One of the best ways to grow as a photographer is to pick up your camera every sing day. By participating in a 30 day photography challenge you push your creativity and become a better more consistent photographer since you are picking up your camera everyday. It's important as a photographer to get outside of your comfort zone. You may find that you enjoy different techniques or aspects of photography you didn't now about.

Related: Power of personal photography projects

Are there other photography challenges?

Absolutely. There are all kinds of photography challenges. One of my favorites is a Project 365 where you take a photo everyday for a single year. This was by far the best way I grew as a photographer. By having to take a photo, edit and post it each day I was able to see my growth as well as connect with other photographers who were also doing this challenge.

Read more: 14 Creative Photography Projects Ideas to Try

30 Day Photo Challenge

Use the natural elements within your frame to frame your subject helps you create a unique photo that will draw the viewer into the images.

Show movement by using a slow shutter speed. Don't forget to use a tripod or put you camera on a steady surface when using this technique.

Give your pets, friends, kids or spouse a break today. Let's focus on capturing still life.

Related: What you need to know about your next photography project

Today you are going to take more than one photo. Take at least three different images to tell a story with only your photos.

Although this is a common compositional guide it is still powerful.

By adjusting your aperture to a smaller f/stop you can create beautiful starburst effect in your photos.

Most people want to shoot wide open so they can get blurry backgrounds. However, shooting with a smaller f/stop can create powerful images as well

When photographing people you want to make sure your are able to help the viewer feel their connection in the photo.

Leaving empty space in your photo helps to pull your viewer directly to your subject and leaves room for your subject to breathe in the photo.

This can be achieved with different lenses or adding layers to your photo.

Related: Use photography projects to enhance your client work

Quite different than negative space, for this one you want to fill the frame with your subject.

Try your hand at landscape photography.

Creating balance and symmetry in your image is something you can look for in natural elements or create.

You don't need a wall of windows to create beautiful photos. Understanding how to embrace shadows and low light adds depth to your photos

HALF WAY THERE! WAY TO GO!

People often think of golden hour when they think of backlighting but there are many types of backlighting.

Step back and observe the situation. Capture a candid moment.

Seeing lines in your environment and using them properly to draw your viewer in will create a powerful photo.

Day 18 - Mood

This can be achieved by emotion or shadows. Get creative.

Related: 6 ways to stay motivated with a photography project

Whether you find an open field of a door frame the important thing to remember is to meter off of the light source.

Please don't be afraid to get in front of the camera. It's important that you are in the photos as well.

Add a layer of interest to your photo by using a reflective surface.

It's so easy to create bokeh with any longer lens while shooting wide open, but I wanted to create the same effect in the foreground.

Related: Why I'm starting a photography project I know I won't finish

Keep in mind not every image makes a strong black and white. Instead, you want to capture a photo with strong shadows and bright lights.

Day 24 - Food

I'm not talking about a quick snap of your plate at a restaurant. Take the time to style and set up your shot.

All you need is one window, light and shadows. You can create amazing dramatic light images.

Learn to see the light in your home. Remember, it's important that you turn off all overhead lights for today or your white balance will be messed up.

Don't worry, it doesn't have to be a self portrait this time. Feel free to ask anyone in your life, your child, friend, spouse, or neighbor.

You don't have to live in a large city to practice street photography.

When you approach minimalism look for elements of light, shadows, colors, textures, lines and space. The focus of your subject will be isolated and projected with minimal detail.

Using patterns as a compositional technique adds harmony and rhythm to your photo. You can look for patterns of lines, color, light, shapes, form, curves, objects.

Ready to do another photography project? We've got you covered from other 30 day photo challenges to longer and shorter photo challenges.

When does the challenge start?

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30 Day Photo Challenge (Become an EVEN Better Photographer)

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When it comes to photography challenges I like to participate in ones that teach me and push me as a photographer. This 30 day photo challenge will help you grow. I can guarantee that if you take a picture everyday for 30 days you will see growth in your images.

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Stories can change the world.

Learn from world-class National Geographic photographers, videographers, and visual designers in a series of Storytelling for Impact online courses in partnership with Adobe on how to use compelling photography, video, graphics, and audio to tell stories in the most impactful ways to affect change.

Offered for both educators and youth ages 16-25, these short, free, self-paced online courses are designed to guide learners to visualize and communicate powerful stories that inspire action.

The first release of the series is storytelling through photography. Enroll today! Interested in receiving notifications for the release of the next course in this series? Sign up below.

Ready to harness the power of storytelling?

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Learn from world-class National Geographic photographers, videographers, and visual designers in a series of Storytelling for Impact online courses in partnership with Adobe on how to use compelling photography, video, graphics, and audio to tell stories in the most impactful ways to affect change.

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Access, edit, organize, and share photos on your iPad, iPhone, or Android device. Changes sync seamlessly so they are available in your Lightroom CC desktop app and your Lightroom CC account on the web.

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Access, edit, organize, and share photos on your iPad, iPhone, or Android device. Changes sync seamlessly so they are available in your Lightroom CC desktop app and your Lightroom CC account on the web.

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The Complete Lightroom Mobile Tutorial for Photo Editing | PicxTrix

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Here is a complete Lightroom Mobile Tutorial. When it comes to editing photos on your phone, Lightroom Mobile is one of the most useful editing apps.

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Sue Farrimond Tutorials - Meticulous Photography

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Find a suitable location to create your arrangement. It must be in a well lit area. Preferable outside or at least near a window. Don't rely on your house lights. They appear bright, but they will take a dark grainy shot. Natural light from a window is best.

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http://www.emilyblincoe.com/

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Lydia class on Lightroom

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Lightroom Mobile - Online Courses, Classes, Training, Tutorials on Lynda

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Learn how to use Lightroom Mobile, from beginner basics to advanced techniques, with online video tutorials taught by industry experts.

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https://www.iphone-fotograaf.nl/en/the-aperture-of-the-iphone-how-to-change-it/?fbclid=IwAR0kQ5X4-Kt6XXeNgdO72PNfg_P-WS2xgTHRwjqeM1rKy79Qzn48Gyqou58

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https://www.boredpanda.com/celebrity-double-portraits-diptych-andrew-h-walker/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic&fbclid=IwAR0KBDz9ocmHAtmui47UkQeJWXEn2H87g16UXK-T8SaEpBJJErFjV_ySvHM

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https://www.photographytalk.com/beginner-photography-tips/what-is-focal-length-guide