Im super excited today cause I have a wedding tomorrow with an amazing couple! This week I wanted to talk about camera panning “To move a movie or television camera to follow an object or create a panoramic effect”. Ive used this technique in the past to accentuate subject movement its really fun but it does take a bit of practice.

- Select a slightly slower shutter speed than you normally would
- As the subject approaches track it smoothly with your camera
- Use of a tripod will help with a smooth transition
- For best results set yourself up so that you’re parallel to the path
- Set the camera to AF servo

The following example was captured several years ago now. I was on my way home from work and I noticed a huge bird (turkey vulture) in the middle of the road, I grabbed my camera and approached slowly. It flew off, when I looked in my mirror I noticed it was right behind me so I put the car in reverse. All of the sudden it starting flying towards me, I put the car into drive and started driving along side it taking photos at the same time. I would not recommend this! As you notice the vulture is relatively sharp compared to the background, which is a result of panning with your subject. So take your kids or a pet to the park and try it out!

Happy PTF!! I know its been a while since we had one of these so I thought it be a good time. I just recently acquired a 60mm micro f/2.8D lens, used for close-up shots. I thought Id take it out in the poring rain yesterday, I’m still laughing about what my neighbors must have thought seeing me out there just drenched! This compact lens like mentioned is great for getting in tight with your subject, 8 inches to be exact. Because you’re so close to your subject it’s recommended that you use a tripod to eliminate camera shake. Here’s my first attempt at macro photography.

p.s. This might be great for wedding detail’s like the rings? *wink*

It’s a wet one today but at least it’s Friday! I thought we would talk today about backing up your data in response to the April 1st Conficker virus. I’m embarrassed to say that I was one of the 10 million effecting by the worm, more than embarrassed I’m just mad! Here’s a thought, what if the individuals involved spent their time and expertise towards productive applications!!! OK that’s enough venting! *LOL* Fortunate for me none of my images or business material was damaged, for two reasons. First off my work related material are stored on external hard drives that do not touch the Internet. I understand this isn’t practical but how many of you are storing all your images on to one computer? Or even worse keep them on the memory card? What if your computer crashes or your memory card becomes full during an event?

BACK-THE-HECK-UP!

Its really simple, as soon as you transfer your images to your computer copy them to an external hard drive, they only cost about $80. If your unable to do that then burn them to a DVD. Remember folks these are your memories do you really want to loose them to a bunch of Jack A$$’$ with too much time on their hands?

Welcome to another PTF! Today I want to talk about ISO or what we use to call ASA “film speed”. ISO is the international standard used to denote film speed. You might ask why would I need to bump up my ISO? Maybe it’s because you don’t want to draw attention to yourself by using flash. Today’s DSLR cameras have ratings of up to 6400, just remember though the higher your ISO the more grain in your image. But Grain isn’t necessarily a bad thing it can add mood to a photograph. I’m not recommending that you shoot everything at 6400 ISO but go out play with it and have fun! The following images were shot between 1600-3200 ISO.