by Scott Kelby

…I’ve read enough from people in forums on the Web who have convinced me this isn’t a good shot because….

• (a) It was taken with a 6-megapixel consumer camera (the original Canon Digital Rebel) back in 2006
• (b) I shot it with the cheap kit lens that came with the camera
• (c) My camera was set to JPEG mode
• (d) It was taken on a $14.95 tripod (I forgot mine at home so I had to buy one at Walmart)

I’m going back there again soon on a family vacation, but this time I’m taking:

• (a) A Nikon D800 36-megapixel camera or my Nikon D4
• (b) A 14-24mm f/2.8 lens that along costs more than the camera, lens, and tripod I shot the image above with combined.
• (c) I’ll shoot in RAW mode and post-process the image in Lightroom 4
• (d) I’ll be using an Gitzo Carbon-fiber tripod with a Really Right Stuff BH-40 ball-head and I’ll have a cable release this time

But with all that cool gear and technology, I am pretty darn certain I won’t get nearly as good a shot. There’s a lesson in there somewhere.

Prize Details

Winner will be announced on air and will be interviewed for a story on our website ScienceFriday.com

Contest Instructions

The Contest will be open to entrants beginning February 15, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. E.S.T. and ending March 1, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. E.S.T.

You may submit one photo entry per person.

You must be 13 or older to enter.

Contest Starts

February 15, 2013 @ 04:00 pm (EST)

Contest Ends

March 01, 2013 @ 02:00 pm (EST)

To find out more or participate…

People already submitted many incredible winter pictures.

I submitted one as well. It was really hard to pick one.

Here is what I selected:

HDR is short for High Dynamic Range. It is a post-processing method of taking either one image or a series of images, combining them, and adjusting the contrast ratios to do things that are virtually impossible with a single aperture and shutter speed. I would say that about 75% of my images use the technique, and if you are new to it, then you may notice a slightly different “look and feel” to my photographs. You should also probably note that HDR is a very broad categorization, and I really hate categorization. My process starts with using basic HDR techniques, but then there are many more steps to help the photos look more… let’s say… evocative.

Read full article and tutorial….

By Andrew Gibson

Low light levels make night photography a challenging yet rewarding subject. The best results require specialized equipment, like SLR cameras, tripods, cable releases and flashguns. After sunset, the everyday world is magically transformed, and city buildings, fireworks, thunderstorms and the northern lights all become popular subjects.

See more…

by Rob Adams

Want to start shooting video? Good video? Here’s what you do:

Turn off the audio (for the time-being).

Stabilize.

Shoot SHORT clips.

For goodness sake, don’t zoom.

Don’t move the camera, yet.

Let the subjects be your “motion.”

Pre-Focus.

Don’t change exposure while filming.

Keep your aperture deep, for now.

Read full article…

by Brian Smith

Here are just a few of my favorite stories from the last two decades photographing celebrities—stories that reveal what really goes on behind the scenes of a high-profile portrait shoot. I learned a lot in the course of these shoots and I hope you will too.

PUSH THE RIGHT BUTTONS

The first key to successful portrait photography is finding a way to connect with your subject. Portrait photography is kind of like mixing psychology and speed-dating. You’ve got to quickly figure the right approach to take with your subject to connect with them and draw out their personality.

FIND THE PLACE

When photographing an environmental portrait on location, the shot is about the person and the place, so I always spend time before the shoot getting to know the location and searching out the most interesting place to shoot.

HAVE FUN

If I had to rank these points, I’d actually put this number one. Never, ever forget that photography should be FUN, both for you and the person on the other side of your lens.

Read more tips by Brian Smith…

For today’s assortment, we have chosen the topic of mobile photography in which we are showcasing some exceptionally beautiful and visually alluring examples of photographs that have been taken from smartphones. The best camera is the one that you have with you at the time so that you can capture breathtaking moments and save them for your memories.

Pretty amazing. See all…

From Mashable
I need to brush up on my Photoshop skills!

It’s all about the Jaw from Peter Hurley on Vimeo.

A little bit lengthy but good and quite funny…