Photo enthusiasts often ask me, "What's the most important accessory I need for professional-quality outdoor people pictures?" I reply, "A flash unit, of course." Then they ask me for my best tip for using a flash. My advice: Think flashy...
I live on the East Coast, and I mean right on it. My studio is located about 8 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. People who live here love the beach, and of course the tourists who descend like swarming flies on a slain wildebeest every...
It's that time of year when many of us are gearing up for our summer vacations. Some folks will go to the far sides of the planet, others will stay close to home. But, no matter where we go, Shutterbug readers have one thing in common:...
To travel to Cuba is to step back in time. The streets of Havana and Santiago de Cuba are a living transportation museum: '55 Chevys and '49 Pontiacs share the road with "newer" Russian Latas from the '70s and '80s. Horse-drawn...
Dozens of ballooning events are held around the country throughout the year. No doubt one is held not too far from your hometown. "Shutterbug" contributor Rick Sammon has been shooting balloon festivals for five years. His favorite is...
I had been stalking this particular tree for quite some time and finally all the elements were falling into place. The setting sun cast long shadows and warm light on both this beautifully gnarled tree and the gently rolling surf. I...
Whenever I judge photo contests including a travel category, one fact quickly becomes apparent: picture-taking during vacation and other trips is not always taken seriously. The photographer who might spend hours making an exceptional landscape...
In most parts of North America, March signifies the beginning of spring, but it's the April showers that bring the best flowers. By the end of this month, gardens all around us will be lavished with vibrant colors making a highly appealing...
The dictionary defines the quality of funkiness as, "unworldly simple or unsophisticated in style; unconventional and individualistic in behavior or style; tasteless, lacking style or good taste; unconventionally stylish and new; having...
There has never been a more exciting time to take underwater pictures. That's because underwater cameras and camera systems have never been easier to use. Plus, new supersaturated films provide the most colorful photos ever! What's...
I've always loved the sea, and having grown up around, on, and in the ocean, I guess a fascination with lighthouses was inevitable. If I'm near the coast on a shooting trip and there is a lighthouse nearby I'll try to...
Fall came late last year to Wisconsin. Either that, or my annual Whitewater class was earlier than it has ever been. Usually, we have autumn color. This time we had sunshine, rain, and a lot of fun (nothing new!). Through it all we learned...
A couple of years ago as Ann, my most significant other, and I were discussing where to go during our summer break she made a suggestion. Like most of her suggestions, this one proved to be a gem.
As the last days of summer give way to frosty nights and crisp mornings, the world is transformed into a fiery splendor. In most parts of the US and Canada, crimson maples, golden poplars or aspen, and red dogwoods dominate the landscape. This is a...