Mastering Long Exposure

Whether you're taking photographs in the dead of night or looking to create an ethereal effect with water or clouds during the day, long exposures are among the most challenging areas of photography. Very often there are physical obstacles to overcome, whether it's being unable to see to frame your shot or focus, an inability to predict movement during the exposure, or simply the need to hold your camera steady while the shutter is open. There are also numerous technical issues to resolve, such as striking a balance between ISO and noise, dealing with high dynamic range, and maintaining the best possible image quality when the laws of physics are working against you. Yet, just as the demands placed upon the photographer are exceptional, so too are the images that can be created when you push your camera to its limits. Packed with stunning photography throughout, the author's expert advice, tips, and tricks are augmented by Masterclasses from some of the world's leading long exposure champions, each sharing the secrets of their success. So whether you want to master star trail photography, shoot cityscapes at dusk, paint with light, or use blur creatively, this is the only book you'll need.

In Studio Anywhere 2: Hard Light, photographer and author Nick Fancher builds on the success of his previous book (Studio Anywhere: A Photographer’s Guide to Shooting in Unconventional Locations) as he continues to offer candid, practical, and valuable lessons on how to create successful and fresh photographs armed with only minimal gear, a resourceful mind, and a creative spirit. The heart and soul of Studio Anywhere 2: Hard Light resemble its predecessor, but this time Nick focuses his approach on hard light, demonstrating how to use it in innovative and flattering ways, working with subjects ranging from products to people. You’ll learn: • How to work with both available light (e.g., the sun) and manufactured light (such as inexpensive small flash) • How to shape, bounce, and manipulate your unmodified flash to get the results you want • The importance of proper light placement and ambient balance • How to create dramatic, intentional photographs with hard light • DIY techniques for making your own gobos and photo hacks (such as with a reflector) • How to incorporate colored gels into your work to create expressive and innovative imagery • Post-processing tricks and techniques that Nick uses to achieve the final look of the image Included in the book are behind-the-scenes photos, lighting diagrams, and Lightroom settings for every scenario, so the reader can follow along from idea through the shoot and on to the final edit. There is also a feature throughout the book called “Making a Scene” where, upon being presented with an “empty” scene, you’re challenged to figure out where you might place your subject and your light(s) in order to achieve a specific effect or result. At the back of the book, Nick shows you how he chose to tackle each scenario. The goal is to train yourself to look at the everyday, commonplace locations and scenarios you encounter and begin to see them full of photographic potential.

Explains the fundamentals of exposure and how varying three parameters--shutter speed, aperture, and ISO--can be used creatively and practically to determine correct exposure, but deliver substantially different images.

In Mastering Bird Photography: The Art, Craft, and Technique of Photographing Birds and Their Behavior, acclaimed bird photographer and author Marie Read shares techniques and stories behind her compelling images, offering fresh insights into making successful bird photographs, whether you’re out in the field or in the comfort of your own backyard.

In this richly illustrated book, you’ll learn how to be in the right place at the right time and how to obtain tack sharp portraits. Marie then teaches you to take your skills to the next level in order to capture action shots, illustrate birds in their habitats, and portray birds in evocative and artistic ways.

Building on basic technical topics such as camera choice, lens choice, and camera settings, Marie reveals how fieldcraft, compositional decisions, and knowledge of bird behavior contribute greatly to a successful bird photograph. Captions for the over 400 images contained in the book provide details on the equipment used, as well as camera settings. Throughout the book, bird behavior insights provide bird photographers of all skill levels a wealth of essential insider information that will help you produce images that stand out from the crowd.

Topics include:

The first book in the Understanding Photography series, Understanding Exposure, was a runaway best-seller, with more than 250,000 copies sold. Now author Bryan Peterson brings his signature style to another important photography topic: shutter speed. With clear, jargon-free explanations of terms and techniques, plus compelling “before-and-after” photos that pair a mediocre image (created using the wrong shutter speed) with a great image (created using the right shutter speed), this is the definitive practical guide to mastering an often-confusing subject. Topics include freezing and implying motion, panning, zooming, exposure, Bogen Super Clamps, and rendering motion effects with Photoshop, all with helpful guidance for both digital and film formats. Great for beginners and serious amateurs, Understanding Shutter Speed is the definitive handy guide to mastering shutter speed for superb results.

This guide opens with in-camera flash basics, then moves to topics such asxposure flash readings, detachable units, flash guide numbers, bounce flash,nd fill flash, then covers advanced methods for using off-camera flash,lash brackets, power packs, remote triggering, and other techniques.

Are you a night owl looking to make stunning images of streetscapes, fireworks, or the night sky? Do you like to bend time with long exposure photography? Do star trails or lightning strikes inspire you? Then this book is for you! In Night Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, photographer Gabriel Biderman brings you the basics of digital night photography—exposure, composition, and light—and how to scout and capture different nocturnal locations once the sun goes down. Gabriel will help you understand the fundamentals and bring your unique artistic expression to any night situation. In this beautifully illustrated guide you will: Focus in the dark and master basic composition rules—and know when to break them Understand metering and switch to manual mode for more control over your exposure Set white balance, understand color temperature, and add flash or slow sync Explore color, light painting, and creative ways to play with light in your images Learn what gear works best for your style of shooting and strategies for operating your equipment in the dark Discover expert techniques for post-processing your nighttime images in Lightroom and Photoshop Beautifully illustrated with large, compelling photos, this book teaches you how to take control of your photography to get the image you want every time. And once you have the shot, show it off and join the book’s Flickr group: www.flickr.com/groups/night_fromsnapshotstogreatshots

Mastering the Nikon D610 by Darrell Young provides a wealth of experience-based information and insights for owners of the new D610 camera. Darrell is determined to help the user navigate past the confusion that often comes with complex and powerful professional camera equipment. This book explores the features and capabilities of the camera in a way that far surpasses the user's manual. It guides readers through the camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments; color illustrations; and detailed how, when, and why explanations for each option. Every button, dial, switch, and menu configuration setting is explored in a user-friendly manner, with suggestions for setup according to various shooting styles. Darrell's friendly and informative writing style allows readers to easily follow directions while feeling as if a friend dropped in to share his knowledge. The learning experience for new D610 users goes beyond just the camera itself and covers basic photography technique.