Shallow Depth Of Field—Photography’s Most Powerful Technique

It has always seemed ironic to me that, as a professional photographer, the technique I use most often is something I can not see with my own eyes. Shallow depth of field is a product of camera optics and I …

Camera Sensor Size And Effective Lens Focal Lengths

Recently I gave one of my photography classes a lecture on lens focal lengths—their strengths, weaknesses and their creative potential. Because I listed the focal length of the lens used to create each image on a full chip camera body …

When You Want It All–3 Steps To Maximize Depth Of Field

Back in the day when my students actually shot on location together, pre-virus, discussions on depth of field were a continual topic. This was partly because some my students had just moved away from full camera automation, the dreaded “P” …

RAW Files vs JPEG–Photography’s Format Battle

RAW file versus JPEG? Which is the best image format? Well, I have found that it really depends on a number of variables. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at both.

A Color Photographer’s Conversion To B&W

Text & Photography by Chuck Place© I have been a photographer for over 40 years and recently have developed a real interest in black & white photography. Like all photography, it’s a journey and I am inviting all of you …

Travel Photography with Chuck Place

Travel Photography is much more than shooting snapshots of your vacation. Images created during your travels should transport you back to the magic you felt as sunset light washes over an ancient Mayan pyramid or recall the drama of colorful …

3 Photographic Techniques For Creating Beautiful Direct Sunlight Portraits

With just 3 techniques, you can create beautiful, striking portraits out in direct sunlight. Modifying harsh sunlight and positioning your model properly can lead to startling results.

Fill The Frame For Greater Visual Impact

The first step in creating any image is knowing what you want to say about a subject or location. Be clear in your own mind what is important and what is secondary. Then make it clear to your viewer by …

Mastering Lens Flare For Beautiful Images With Impact

Camera lens flair can be a creative tool adding another level of drama and emotion to your photographs.

Aperture Priority–The Auto Exposure For Photographers

There is an auto-exposure setting on most cameras that allows a photographer to set the proper depth of field while the camera picks the appropriate shutter speed for a correct exposure—“A” or “Aperture Priority”.