If your goal is to take your photography to a whole new level, then you’re going to love this post. Just in time for the weekend comes another wonderful learning tool from the Craft & Vision library.
Chasing Reflections is simply an inspirational gem when it comes to appreciating great photography and a unique “case-study” explanation of each image. A quote from the book intro does the most justice in describing this masterpiece:

Reflections not only give an image more longevity, as the viewer has to look carefully in order to interpret them, they also give you more chance of creating something unique.

This is the third in a new series from Craft & Vision which will be covering the “Print and Process” when it comes to the craft and vision of photography. I’ve said it before, and since it continues proving to be true, I’ll say it again… I personally find this series to be the most helpful in my growth as a photographer. Even if you are or are not yet comfortable with all of your camera settings, it doesn’t matter in this case. This eBook takes you through the camera settings used along with the most important insights into the image – the how and the why.

Inspired Learning

If you are the type of photographer who learns through inspiration (of work you admire), then this is going to be right up your alley. These aren’t your usual snapshots in here, not that any of the books in the Print and Process series are. While going through this book and looking at each photograph, I could really feel a sense of the mood and story. This is something I have become more aware of when I am composing my own photographs, largely thanks to this series.

The photos in this eBook are more akin to “fine photography” if there is such a genre. You can see there was careful thought behind the compositions of the photos, even though some of them were taken in the blink of an eye. This is the type of collection of works which make you think while you look at them. If you take a look at the cover image, or these preview images, you’ll see what I mean.

Exploring the reflected world gives you the sense of a whole new style of photography to think about. Focusing is different, composition is certainly different, and you instantly become more aware of background elements and more importantly, how background elements integrate with foreground elements. If that’s not enough to inspire you, there is an explanation of how and why each photo was captured.

What you have to gain…

At a whopping 72 pages of remarkable imagery coupled with the thought provoking explanations behind each photo, I’ve found new life in my own work. If you shoot portraitures, still life, urban, or even landscapes, this one will inject a new dose of creativity to consider in your own work.

What David Has to Say…

“Chasing Reflections is the third in the series The Print & The Process. Eli Reinholdtsen is a creative photographer who, through her unique and skillful approach to reflections, captures moments and juxtapositions that are truly an art form at its finest. Reinholdtsen digs deep and shares tangible ways to scout, setup, and shoot complex and magical photographs that push the envelope of visual poetry. Her playful descriptions aren’t shy of digging deep into the techniques required to capture movement, timing, and contrast.

Chasing Reflections is an inspiring collection of 37 photographs that stand on their own a pieces of pure art (The Print) followed by a discussion of the creation of those visual moments (The Process). Chasing Reflections is a available now for $5.”

And, there’s a special offer as you can imagine: For the first four days only, if you use the promotional code REFLECT4 when you checkout, you can have Chasing Reflections for only $4 OR use the code REFLECT20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more books from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST AUGUST 1st, 2010.

Visit the Craft and Vision photography library here.

SAFARI: A Monograph is not only a photo-exploration, it is filled with the valuable insight into the “whys” of photography as well as the “how.”

This is the second in a new series from David which will be covering the “Print and Process” when it comes to the craft and vision of photography. I personally find this series to be the most helpful in my growth as a photographer. Now that I am more comfortable with the technical side and camera settings, examining the techniques and the reasons for capturing the images shown in this book are what I found the be most valuable when reading through.

Inspired Learning

If you’ve never been on a safari before, you’re in for a real treat. The wildlife photography in here is fantastic; you’ll see these majestic animals and landscapes in a beautiful light. Now when I look at photography, I find the things that help me the most are viewing other inspiring photos and figuring out just why they are so compelling. When you look at the composition of the photos in this book, these are the types of hidden lessons you will learn. David also has this incredible talent for portraiture work, especially when it comes to culture and photographing people in their natural environment. Studying the photography of an experienced and passionate (that’s the key!) photographer will help you to improve in some (or dare I say many) aspects of your own photography. In fact, there’s a bit of everything in this eBook, which I found refreshing. Portraiture, landscape, and nature photographers will especially enjoy SAFARI.

And That’s Not All…

This one is a GREAT value at over 62 pages of remarkable imagery, including what I found to be an unexpected bonus: The Adobe Lightroom settings for the duo-tone signature look in this book is also included. That alone to me is worth the $5 cover price!

What David Has to Say…

“SAFARI, A Monograph is the second in the series The Print & The Process. David duChemin unpacks the images from a 10-day safari in Kenya, first letting the images speak for themselves then diving deep into the process behind the photographs. This eBook offers an honest discussion about the issues connected to the creation of duChemin’s SAFARI monograph, including the gear used, the techniques employed, and the lessons learned. It’s a 62-page PDF eBook that will provide you with inspiration amidst the details of the Why and the How. This is not so much about how to photograph your first safari, though you’ll learn that too; it’s a look at the lessons learned, and re-learned, by a photographer who is now 25 years into his craft. Also included are the Adobe Lightroom settings used for Serengeti Chocolate, the duo-tone look in which much of his SAFARI monograph has been styled, and a downloadable Lightroom Preset. SAFARI, A Monograph is a available now for $5.”

And, there’s a special offer as you can imagine (but it’s shorter than previous promotions): For the first three days only, if you use the promotional code SAFARI4 when you checkout, you can have SAFARI: A Monograph for only $4 OR use the code SAFARI20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more books from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST JULY 11th, 2010.

Visit the Craft and Vision photography library here.

This is the first in a new series from David which will be covering the “Print and Process” when it comes to the craft and vision of photography. As I was reading this latest eBook, I was completely inspired as every image makes you feel the emotion and atmosphere of being present at the time. One of the things I most enjoyed was the sense of motion David creates with these works in particular.

After viewing just over 30 photos (which looks great on the computer, and stunning on the iPad too), the eBook jumps into a section explaining how and why each shot was taken, including the camera settings used (which I find to be very helpful). Here’s a quote from David duChemin on his latest eBook:

“VENICE, A Monograph is the first in The Print & Process series, a series created to give the photograph a place to stand on its own within a small body of work (The Print) followed by a discussion of the creation of those images (The Process). It’s a more intimate look into the process of creation and another attempt by our Craft & Vision team to create books that pair inspiration with solid photographic teaching.

VENICE, A Monograph is a collection of over 30 photographs created along themes of loneliness and solitude over a 5-day period in Venice in May 2010, and followed by a discussion of the Why and the How behind the images. 47pages long, and in PDF format, this first installment of The Print & The Process series is laid
out in landscape format to make viewing equally good on the iPad as well as desktop and laptop computers.”

And, there’s a special offer as you can imagine (but it’s shorter than previous promotions): For the first three days only, if you use the promotional code VENICE4 when you checkout, you can have VENICE, A Monograph for only $4 OR use the code VENICE20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more books from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST JUNE 12, 2010.

Visit the Craft and Vision photography library here.

Going back to school sounds exciting to those of use who are currently working full-time, but usually our job demands do not afford many of us the time to go back to school. For those of you who are interested in learning more about digital photography, post-processing, the photo-business, and doing it all from home – read on!

There are some fabulous online digital photography schools out there, and among the finest is the New York Institute of Photography. Many of you may have noticed our recent involvement with NYIP in our magazine. We have chosen to work together with them because we believe they are providing our readers with a truly valuable option for going back to school, learning digital photography, and getting the necessary student/teacher interactions which provide specific and valuable feedback conducive to learning and growing as a photographer.

There are so many options out there, but the overall purpose is to help our readers to learn. Going back to school no longer means sitting in a traditional classroom and giving up the better part of your day. If you are learning photography just for fun as one of the greatest hobbies there are, or if you are planning to turn your photography into a lifestyle or even a business, then consider taking courses of any kind to learn from professionals with the knowledge and experience to truly help you improve. Join some local photography clubs, participate in photowalks (or start your own), see what options are available through institutions such as the New York Institute of Photography, and also check out some of the workshops offered by local camera shops in your area. Learning is a life-long process, and most importantly, it’s fun when it’s something you love.

For a FREE course catalog offered by the New York Institute of Photography, please visit the link below:

Get your free NYIP course catalog here!

In fact, we’d like to know where some of our experienced readers stand. Have you taken a traditional photography program or course? If so, how did it help you in your photography career?

The Magic of Black and White Part II picks up right where it should and enters the realm of how to properly process images for black and white. One of the things I most enjoyed is the section on “Interpreting the Image” where we see a color photo interpreted into several black and white “versions.” I personally use this technique quite often in finding the right process to fit the particular photograph I am working with. As Andrew explains, there is no one way to process a photograph for black and white. Each image is different and requires its own interpretation.

Andrew also goes into great detail, sharing with us his personally developed methods for processing images in black and white. What’s great is that the processing techniques demonstrated in this ebook can be applied throughout almost any post-processing software.

The section of the ebook which deals with toning was especially helpful. In post-processing, toning techniques are what truly infuse an image with mood, feeling, and ambiance. After a brief discussion on toning, Andrew dives into some post-processing techniques and shows us an effective method of applying both strong and subtle toning.

The Magic of Black and White Part II also explores three real-world examples of black and white processing from start to finish. One of these examples covers the proper use of textures in black and white photography, one of the most effective methods of adding drama to an image. If you aren’t yet familiar with textures, you will definitely want to pick up this ebook and learn the technique. Textures alone can open a whole new door to a new style of processing, a new genre if you will.

Quote from David duChemin – “Part two of Andrew S. Gibson’s, The Magic of Black and White series is about the craft of converting the captured image into black and white in the digital darkroom. Where Part One – Vision, looked at the process of seeing and capturing in monochrome, Part Two – Craft, looks at the tools needed to turn a colour digital negative into a spectacular-looking black and white image using the software of the digital darkroom, specifically Adobe Photoshop. The Magic of Black and White, Part Two – Craft is a 51 page downloadable PDF. We’ve forced the layout into a landscape format to make viewing on the iPad even better. Using a good PDF reader like GoodReader, these PDF eBooks retain the rich layouts we’ve always created, as well as allowing non-iPad users the same great experience they’ve always had. It sells for the usual and ridiculous price of USD$5.00″

To get your copy of The Magic of Black and White Part II, visit the Craft and Vision Photography eBook store. At 51 pages in length and only $5, The Magic of Black and White Part II is worth every penny. A comprehensive and practical guide to processing images in black and white, in an easy to understand format with example images that truly inspire.

This new ebook is a collection of essays (and rants) straight from the PixelatedImage Blog, exquisitely reworked into one stunning ebook. While all of the essays and articles could certainly be viewed (for free) off David’s blog, the ebook version is so well put together (not to mention saving time/effort) that it’s well worth purchasing none the less. The photography is stunning; the lessons invaluable. Here’s a quick overview of Vision is Better:

Over the past 5 years David duChemin has been writing about the photographic life on the Pixelated Image blog. Vision Is Better is a compilation of the 50 most popular articles covering a range of topics, all of which share one common theme – the photographic life and craft. Becoming a better photographer is not only a matter of learning which buttons to press and in which direction to point your camera. It’s a matter of knowing why to do those things, where to look for inspiration, how to handle the distractions, and how to avoid getting sucked in by the lesser concerns. 100% Pixelated Image Blog. If you like David’s writing and want more of it, in a great-looking offline format, this is a killer deal. Vision Is Better is a 116 page downloadable PDF ebook USD$5.00

If that hasn’t wet your appetite enough, David is also offering a promotional discount in celebration of the ebook’s launch. For the first six days only, if buyers use the promotional code VISION4 when they checkout, they can have Vision is Better for only $4 OR you can use the code VISION20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more books from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST MAY 4, 2010.

Visit the Craft and Vision online bookstore for this title and other invaluable ebooks for your digital library.

Enter a brand new ebook from David duChemin’s Craft & Vision online bookstore for photographers – The Magic of Black and White -Part 1, Vision – by Andrew S. Gibson. Like all of the gems at Craft & Vision, this will be the best $5 you’ve ever spent on photography – seriously. Here’s a brief description from the Craft & Vision website:

Black and white photographs are a different medium than colour and require an ability to see in monochrome. Becoming aware of the differences between black and white and colour images, in both how they are seen and what makes a great black and white image, is the first step to capturing images that will work powerfully in monochrome.

The first in a planned two-volume set, Part One discusses what makes a great black and white photograph, what to look for when learning to see in monochrome, elements of a black and white image, and potential subjects for black and white photographs. Part Two will examine the means of creating the black and white image in the digital darkroom.

This gorgeous 58 page ebook walks us through the basics of creating magical black and white images by demonstrating how black and white photos are captured differently from colour.

Readers will learn all about the elements of composition for black and white images, and techniques for placing highlights and shadows to create striking black and whites. The book discusses how to capture textures, lines, shapes and forms effectively, along with the role of negative space in certain type of black and white photos. You’ll also learn more about how light behaves in relation to how your camera captures the light, and how all this applies in the realm of black and white.

The “subjects” section breaks down the basic factors for capturing an array of subject matter in black and white; from people to landscapes, flowers to architecture – it’s all in here.

Visit the Craft & Vision website to pick up your copy of The Magic of Black and White – Part 1, Vision – by Andrew S. Gibson for only $5 and step into a whole new photographic dimension this weekend. While you are there, you may also want to check out some of the fantastic ebooks written by best-selling author, David duChemin.

PhotographyBLOG is run by professional photographer Mark Goldstein (a really wonderful gentleman by the way) who also contributes regularly to the popular UK magazine Digital Camera Buyer. PhotographyBLOG is the UK’s leading photography website, offering a sweet daily dose of the latest news in the photography industry, photo contests and competitions, the newest photography gear and firmware updates, related software news, and so much more.

If you would like to keep up to date with the latest photo industry news, I highly suggest adding PhotographyBLOG to your daily reading list, adding their RSS feed to your feed-readers, or subscribing via email updates. You’ll “be in the know” with a quick headline scan, or by expanding the full story for those you wish to read more in depth. PhotographyBLOG also does their own non-biased product reviews which I always find to be insightful when making a decision about buying new gear.

Check out PhotographyBLOG at: http://www.photographyblog.com
or follow them on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/photographyblog

Jason writes primarily for our column in the PhotographyBB Online Magazine entitled “Photographic Food for Thought,” because it’s just that – photographic considerations and issues concerning photographers on a multitude of levels. Take for instance, file management and backup strategy, how to create more compelling photos, the perils and pitfalls of photo contests, and much more; Jason writes with intelligence on the issues that concern all of us. The podcast is just another excellent way of staying in tune with the photography industry, some great interviews, product reviews, tips, and much more. Listen to it on your iPod/iPhone, in the car, while you work… any way you do it, you’ll find the experience enriching.

Canon Blogger also features several challenges and contests with some great giveaways through their Flickr site too. What better way to participate whether you are a beginner or pro, than to get involved with your peers and join in the fun. Shooting to a theme is one of the best ways a photographer can push their boundaries and actually improve, so I highly recommend checking out some of the contests that Jason runs.

Check out the Learning Digital Photography Podcast and add Canon Blogger to your daily blog visits / RSS feeds and you’ll be guaranteed to grow as a photographer, regardless of what level you are currently at. You can also connect with Jason via the following links:
Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Jason’s Photo Gallery

Welcome back to the second in the series of my favourite photography blogs. The next site I’d like to recommend is from another friend of mine (and PhotographyBB), Mike Frye. PhotoCapM – Thoughts on Photographic Art is on my list as one of the most positive blog experiences I could recommend. Mike does some wonderful writing on subjects pertaining to photography, his experiences with photography, and photographic art. I always find the articles to be intelligent AND upbeat, which is the perfect recipe for presenting any material in my opinion. In addition to Mike’s articles on worthy photographic news stories, this blog also contains many helpful tips that Mike has learned throughout his journey as a photographer. The beginners will learn a lot from these helpful tips, while the pros will gain great insight from Mike’s articles on photography as it relates to art.

In addition to all of this, Mike is a social networking guru who uses his power for good. He maintains a highly active Flickr, RedBubble, Facebook, and Twitter account, always connecting with positive, like-minded photo enthusiasts. They say that this world is what you make of it, and Mike truly makes the best of what social networking was born to be. On the PhotoCapM blog Mike runs a unique series entitled, “Flickrite in the Spotlight” where one Flickr user is featured through their work, their contributions to photography, interview, and art. This is one of the reasons I always visit the blog; to learn more about what our peers are doing, and how they are doing it. We’re all growing together on this journey and it’s great to see the recognition of inspiring work from other fellow enthusiasts. Another excellent feature of the PhotoCapM Blog is the Photo Assignments and Contests category, where you’ll find helpful articles on participating in photo assignments/contests as well as links to some great contests open to all levels of photographers.

If you haven’t seen the common theme yet, it’s about to get more clear. The PhotoCapM Blog is all about giving back either through recognition, learning, and also charity. Mike’s Heart Art is an opportunity to embrace our love for photography and give back to those in need. You can find more details here on how you can help.

You’ll also want to stay tuned to the January Issue of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine where Mike has been kind enough to contribute an article for us. Be sure to check out the PhotoCapM Blog and add this one to your RSS feeds folks! If you would like to connect with a Mike, you can connect with him via any of the following links:
Twitter, Flickr, RedBubble, Facebook