Photography

I am an amateur photographer.  My biggest problem is focus.  To the naked eye, the photos look fine but I know they should be sharper.  Any tips?

Mastering Focus: Tips to Sharpen Your Photography Skills

Cynthia, it's really an excellent question. Focus is definitely one of the hardest things to learn to see, whether it was slide film or today in digital. The main thing that I do and I recommend is kind of expensive is making the 24 by 30 prints because that's going to show all the good things you're photographing, all the bad things, which includes focus. Now you can simulate that 24 by 30 in Photoshop by [INAUDIBLE] that image up. And that will start to train your eye to see that sharpness. But you're not alone. Seeing sharpness is-- I won't say a talent-- but it is something you have to really kind of practice and learn. So great question. Keep working at it.

The best way to practice focusing is to make 24x30 prints and view them closely, or simulate that in Photoshop. It takes practice to learn how to see sharpness.

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As an amateur photographer, your biggest challenge is achieving sharp focus in your photos. While they may appear fine to the naked eye, you know they should be sharper. Here are some tips to help you improve:

One effective but slightly expensive method is to make 24 by 30 prints of your photos. This larger size will reveal both the good and bad aspects of your images, including focus. If you prefer a more cost-effective approach, you can simulate the 24 by 30 print in Photoshop by zooming in on the image. This will help train your eye to recognize sharpness.

It's important to remember that struggling with focus is common among photographers. It's not necessarily a talent, but rather a skill that requires practice and learning. Keep working at it, and don't get discouraged. With time and experience, you will become better at seeing and achieving sharp focus in your photographs.

Do you think Sony cameras have changed the game the last few years?

Sony Cameras: Game-Changers or Just Hype?

Do I think Sony has changed the game? The last few years? First of all, what's the game? Okay. If we're talking about bringing more photographers into mirrorless that done a good job there. If you're come out raising the level of Photography I'm not so sure about that one. Have they cause more Shooters to be in the field with less knowledge especially with ethics after what I've witnessed specially this last? God say, yeah. They have have they elevated. The game of Photography. I'm gonna say a lot of ways know, they haven't have, they leveled them? I don't know. They've done that either. But to be honest with you, no matter the camera brand. It's still the person behind it. That's making things happen. It's not the arrow, it's the engine.

No, I don't think Sony has changed the game of photography. They may have brought more photographers into the mirrorless realm, but they haven't necessarily elevated or leveled the game. Ultimately, it is still the person behind the camera that makes the difference.

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Do I believe Sony has changed the game in the last few years? Well, first, let's clarify what the game refers to. If we're talking about attracting more photographers to mirrorless cameras, then yes, Sony has done a good job in that aspect. However, if we're discussing raising the overall level of photography, I'm not so sure.

I have observed that Sony's popularity has led to an increase in photographers entering the field with less knowledge, particularly in terms of ethics. In that sense, yes, Sony has had an impact. But in terms of elevating the game of photography or leveling the playing field, I'm not convinced they have achieved that.

Ultimately, regardless of the camera brand, it is the person behind the camera who truly makes things happen. The camera is just a tool; it's the photographer's skill and creativity that matter most. So, while Sony may have made waves in the industry, it's important to remember that the photographer's abilities are what truly drive the results.

Unlocking the Secrets: Becoming a Nikon Ambassador

Jason, thanks for asking this question. How do you become an icon Ambassador? It's a really good question because there is no place like you can fill out an application. There's no way you can call for an interview. In fact, I was literally sitting on the deck enjoying a glass of wine with my wife. When the phone call came to be asked to be one of the first dozen ambassadors, all I can share with you. Something that was shared to me, literally last century by some One who doesn't work and I got any longer, he's retired. What Jerry told me was that Nikon is looking for three things in photographers. One takes good, pictures to is public, gets published and three loves to teach. I think that's kind of. Indicative, what they still look for. It, be honest with you, notice I didn't say great. I said, good photographs. And notice I said gets published which means that you put on over your photographs have to be, you know, visual storytelling and loves to teach. It's not just great photographs they're looking for a lot of things but I don't have one answer or website or email address to give you so best of luck.

To become an icon Ambassador, Nikon is looking for photographers who take good photos, get published and love to teach. Unfortunately, there is no application or interview process, so the best way to be considered is to put your work out there for people to see and to demonstrate your teaching ability.

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Becoming a Nikon Ambassador is not a straightforward process. There is no application to fill out or interview to attend. In my case, I received a phone call while enjoying a glass of wine with my wife, inviting me to be one of the first dozen ambassadors.

However, I can share some insight that was passed on to me by someone who used to work for Nikon. According to Jerry, Nikon looks for three key qualities in photographers. First, they should take good pictures. Second, they should have their work published. And third, they should have a passion for teaching.

It's important to note that Nikon is not only looking for great photographs, but also for visual storytelling and a willingness to share knowledge. While I don't have a specific answer, website, or email address to provide, I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit of becoming a Nikon Ambassador.

As an expert, why are you interested in using AnyQuestion?

Expert seeks alternative to social media for accurate and direct interaction

Hey Ryan, thanks for asking a great question as an expert, which I don't feel I am, but that's beyond the point. Why are you interested in using any question? The whole premise? The business side of it really intrigues. Me, the other thing, is that as we all know, social media, not only, not being really accurate is in total flux, and it is not working very well Facebook. For example, I might Might put something on there if it was working and they will throttle it. So only, if very small percentage of all my thousands of viewers are actually see the message. So, I was looking for another way to talk with, folks, not Anonymous. But Ryan, I appreciate you. Using your name means a lot to me and answer questions because that's really a big part of what we do here at wrp is we try to help folks and answer questions the best we can when we can. So I appreciate your A question. And I hope that answers why I'm here on any question to answer any question.

I'm interested in using Any Question to communicate with people in a more effective way than through social media, and I appreciate Ryan's question as it shows that he is open to communication and help.

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As an expert, I find the concept of using AnyQuestion intriguing for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the business side of it piques my interest. Additionally, with the current state of social media, where accuracy and reach can be challenging, I was looking for an alternative platform to engage with people. AnyQuestion provides an opportunity to have meaningful conversations and connect with individuals, like yourself, who use their real names. This aligns with the goal of helping and answering questions, which is a significant part of what we do here at wrp. I appreciate your question, Ryan, and I hope this clarifies why I am here on AnyQuestion, ready to answer any questions that come my way.

Could you please share your thoughts on the practice of watermarking online images?

Protecting Images: The Dilemma of Watermarking

Anonymous interesting. You ask a question such as this when you sign in, I'm not I'm asleep. Hmm. Could you please share your thoughts on the practice of watermarking online images? Well, it's very well known that any kind of type or print or anything like that in a photograph. The Mind's Eye instantly goes to it. It's credibly distracting. So I gotta be honest with you, I hate the fact that I have to put my My copyright on that photograph. But why do I put that copyright on there that Watermark especially when people can easily remove it? For a number of reasons? The main one is when people go to share that post without that Watermark often the Creator, that photograph mwah is no longer part of the photograph. It gets detached in that sharing process, so that's part of it. And the other part is, if Do have to go to court and you have to say this person stole your copyrighted image, have your name on there and there are you racing It Whatever means they want to because it's really easy to. Do you instantly kind of go poop? There goes the case because they willfully remove your copyright and using it. So yeah, kind of hard to say, you didn't know it's copyrighted, but as far as I'm concerned, I wish we didn't have to do any of that stuff. But as we all know, in this world, Well, yeah, a lot of things we wish for it. Just don't seem to materialize.

Watermarking online images can be distracting, and it's important to include them as they help protect the rights of creators. However, it is also true that watermarks can easily be removed and so it is hard to know if someone has stolen an image or not.

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Watermarking online images is a practice that I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, I find watermarks to be incredibly distracting and take away from the overall aesthetic of a photograph. It's frustrating that I have to put my copyright on the image, knowing that it can easily be removed.

However, there are reasons why I still choose to use watermarks. One important reason is that when people share the image without the watermark, the creator (me) often gets detached from the photograph in the process. By having the watermark, it helps maintain the connection between the creator and the image.

Another reason is legal protection. If I ever have to go to court to prove that someone stole my copyrighted image, having my name on the watermark provides evidence of ownership. If someone willfully removes the watermark, it becomes harder for them to claim ignorance of the copyright.

Ideally, I wish we didn't have to resort to watermarking or deal with copyright infringement. Unfortunately, in the real world, we often have to take measures to protect our work.

Are there any new photography tools you are excited to try or are enjoying?

Photographer's Excitement: New Tools & Profoto A10 Flash - A Game Changer!

Great question. Are there any new photography tools? You are excited to try or enjoying? It's a constant process for me. I'm a gear nut. I love gear and yeah I'm always looking for new tools that will solve problems. I'm having so currently as in in the last few weeks, I bit the bullet because it's not an expensive and acquired my first profoto a And portable flash. Now I have the b 1 b 2 B tens. So I'm not like new to profoto but those are the big studio lights that you know II don't use maybe twice a month. I don't use them continually, but they hand held flash. I use a lot in my work, my critters in aviation. So the profoto a 10, the thing that I really love about it is it's just it's spectacular light and that's the essential thing, you know, that. Round that round light source is just gorgeous and then the ease of use and maybe because I've used the profoto system for so long. The way I think about light, it just is very simple to use as not so much for a master. But often as a fill light, mostly for color, you know, I just posted a video on my website the last week about the profoto 810 using as a telephoto flash. So that's probably the latest tool but but you know tomorrow's Monday I bet something new is going to come that I'm going to be in fall in love with

I recently purchased a Profoto A10, a handheld flash that is great for my critters and aviation photography. It produces gorgeous light and is simple to use, mostly as a fill light, usually for color. I just posted a video to my website about using the 810 as a telephoto flash. I'm always looking for new tools and I'm sure there will be something else that catches my eye soon.

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I'm always on the lookout for new photography tools that can solve problems and enhance my work. Recently, I decided to invest in my first Profoto A-series portable flash, specifically the B1, B2, and B10 models. While I'm not new to Profoto, as I have used their big studio lights occasionally, handheld flash is something I use frequently in my wildlife and aviation photography.

The Profoto A10 has been a game-changer for me. The quality of light it produces is simply spectacular, thanks to its round light source. Additionally, the ease of use, perhaps because of my familiarity with the Profoto system, makes it a breeze to work with. I primarily use it as a fill light, especially for adding color to my shots. In fact, I recently posted a video on my website showcasing the Profoto A10 as a telephoto flash.

While this is the latest tool I've been enjoying, I'm always excited to see what new photography tools will catch my attention in the future. It's a constant process of discovery and experimentation that keeps me engaged and passionate about my craft.

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Moose Peterson is an American wildlife, aviation and landscape photographer whose work has been published in a variety of magazines worldwide and he has authored 29 books of his own. Moose is a Nikon Ambassador and Research Associate with the Endangered Species Recovery Program. He was the creative producer & photographer for the critically acclaimed film, “Warbirds and The Men Who Flew Them.” In 1998, he was the recipient of the John Muir Conservation Award for his efforts as an endangered species advocate. Peterson's primary area of interests center on rare and endangered species in North America, particularly in California. Moose lectures across the country to thousands of photographers a year.