Every time each of us presses the shutter button on our camera we create the potential opportunity to time travel. To go back and experience events and emotions… and to relive memories. Continue reading Christchurch after the Earthquake
All posts by Thomas Stirr
Focus Stacking Example
For most people who just want to have some fun with their photography and have another ‘trick up their sleeve’ focus stacking can be an interesting technique to explore. To put this article in proper context, I’ve never used focus stacking for any of my client work, and I don’t profess to be an expert at the technique…but I have experimented with it. The following image is a quick focus stacking example I put together for this article. It was composed from 11 separate exposures. It’s far from perfect, but it does represent a typical result that most hobbyists can easily achieve. Continue reading Focus Stacking Example
Autumn Images at Letchworth State Park
Earlier this autumn I made a quick trip to Letchworth State Park and I spent a few hours taking photographs. Since the autumn colours were on the verge of disappearing for another season I was very happy to squeeze in this visit. Continue reading Autumn Images at Letchworth State Park
Improving image eye flow by creating corner exits
Back in the day when I was working in corporate life I gained quite a bit of experience creating and managing advertising, usually print based. When we designed ads it became second nature for us to constantly think about fundamental concepts like visual depth, dominating elements, and ad balance. The goal was to achieve good eye flow in the ad. Since leaving corporate life I’ve tried to apply what I learned about advertising design to my photography.
Continue reading Improving image eye flow by creating corner exits
Creating and Using Leading Lines
One of the most important considerations any photographer makes is determining the compositional lines in the images they create. In this short article I’ll be discussing how various elements can become leading lines and add to the visual flow of your images. Continue reading Creating and Using Leading Lines
The Magic of “7” in Composition
This article will no doubt be the shortest one I will ever write about image composition as it contains only one, very simple idea. And, that is the number “7”. If you’re like me and tend to see the world around you as shapes and angles when you have a camera in your hands then this should resonate very strongly with you. Continue reading The Magic of “7” in Composition
Using Foreground Elements in Landscape Photography
Often when we are creating images, especially landscapes, we can get so focused on the main subject that we forget to think about incorporating a foreground element to help add depth and drama to our scene. There are a number of different approaches we can use. In this short article I’ll be illustrating three simple and effective ways you can incorporate foreground elements into your images. The first is something that I like to call a ‘bottom band’ during my landscape seminars. Continue reading Using Foreground Elements in Landscape Photography
Using Vello Extension Tubes for Nikon 1
Many people who own Nikon 1 camera gear have an interest in close up photography. Unfortunately at the time of writing of this article there was no 1 Nikon macro lens available. Continue reading Using Vello Extension Tubes for Nikon 1
Butterfly Images with Nikon 1 CX 70-300
Many photographers enjoy shooting images of insects, with butterflies being a favourite of many people. I went to the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory to take a few butterfly images, spending a couple of very enjoyable hours at the conservatory. Continue reading Butterfly Images with Nikon 1 CX 70-300
Photographing Captive Reptiles with Nikon 1
In many ways Nikon 1 gear is ideally suited to taking photographs of captive reptiles because of its light weight, portability, and the comparatively short minimum focusing distance of 1 Nikon lenses. In this article I’ll be discussing some of the things you can do to create some interesting images when using this equipment. Continue reading Photographing Captive Reptiles with Nikon 1