Blog

Introspection – Self Portraits

6. Introspection Now it’s time to make your first self-portraits. In some ways, this will be easier than your previous portraiture assignment, and in some, it will be harder. Part of the challenge will come into play as you attempt to assess what will express your own personality to others. It’s time to think outside of your own perceptions and be candid with yourself about what makes you tick and how you come across to others – especially how to […]

The Long Way Home – Intro to Night Photography

I took a photography course from Alex Chamberlain at Dixie State University in the Fall of 2015. This was my first “real” experience with night photography. Luckily, the city of Pine Valley, Utah has some of the darkest skies near my hometown of St. George, Utah. It is the perfect spot for me to practice my night photography. Night photography gives me an excuse to get away from it all and just listen to nature. Sometimes being alone with just […]

Pets and Portraits

The young woman in this set is my cousin, Melanie House, and she recently found out she has breast cancer. She just had chemotherapy and got herself a new wig. My wife helped her with makeup for this photo shoot. Update 2017: Melanie is in remission, cancer free, and happy to be alive! 4. Pets and Portraits Requirements 1. You are to shoot a portrait of a friend or family member that explains and/or highlights an aspect of their personality that […]

Composition – The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

3. The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Requirements After our composition discussion, you should be able to filter the content of your images more effectively and arrange things to be more pleasing and emphasize your choices. Further, our exposure discussion should give you the tools you’ll need to grade your images effectively to emphasize the subjects of your choosing. For this assignment, you’ll need to choose an interesting or unusual outdoor subject such as an old car, a barn, […]

Movement – Shutter Speed & Aperture

2. Movement – Shutter Speed & Aperture Requirements Shutter Speed and Aperture both play a crucial role in the “look” or aesthetics of your image. Your camera’s Program and Auto modes can properly expose an image, but they will NOT allow you to control how your camera treats motion, or your depth of field; both crucial elements to making an image look the way you want. This is one of the primary practices that separates a professional photographer from the […]

Getting to Know You – Introduction to Photography

1. Getting to Know You – Introduction It’s time to familiarize yourself with your camera. You’re also going to get your first photo assignment! Approach a friend or family member and ask them for three random words from the top of their head. Pick the one you like best and take 5 photographs dealing with that subject. In order to get full points you will need to demonstrate the following: A willingness to experiment. Shoot all 5 photos in “manual” […]

Tutorials for learning and teaching photography

We provide a plethora of photographs and imagery that will please your eyes and soul. We provide instruction and tutorials for photography and videography related software including: Photography tools Adobe Lightroom Adobe Photoshop Stellarium Nik Tools Video and videography tools Adobe Premiere Adobe After Effects We provide reviews and instruction for using photography equipment and techniques. We welcome all feedback, comments, and constructive criticism.