Photo of the Day

This is National Geogrpahic's photo of the day. It features a man sitting on a bench overlooking Bourtzi Castle in Nafplion, Greece.

What is unique about this picture is its color tone. The photograph has a very sandy-like tone, which makes it seem like a more old fashioned photograph. The sandy color also suggests a more solemn feeling. If the colors were brighter, the photo would suggest a happier feeling. Photographers often use photoshop or put a filter on their camera lens to alter the color tone of their photographs in order to strategically suggest the feeling they are trying to portray.


What is also unique about this photograph is the man sitting on the bench. By including the man, the photograph becomes more real and relatable. It makes you realize that the beautiful scenery the man is looking at is an actual place in the world. Sometimes including humans and animals in photographs makes it easier for the viewer to connect to the image. 


For more photos of the day, visit the National Geographic Web Page. 

Photo of the Day

This is National Geogrpahic's photo of the day. It features two black-browed albatrosses in West Point, South Georgia. 


Nature photography is one of my favorite types of photography. Photographing nature forces you to become more connected to the environment around you. The subjects are also often not still, which puts more pressure on you to focus on the subject. Also, the movement of the subject forces you to become accustomed to trial and error. 


Having a moving target makes it more difficult for you to capture the photo you are aiming to capture. Therefore, you must take several pictures of your subject. I almost never get the image I am looking for the first time I press down the shutter release. I have to take several pictures before I am fully satisfied. 


This photo seems to be a product of that trial and error. The birds are caught at the exact moment they are touching beaks, which is a rare occurrence that strengthens the bond between the birds. This means that the photographer either had to wait for the perfect moment to capture the image or the photographer took several pictures of the birds. 


Nature photography, although it takes patience, does produce rewarding and unique photographs.


For more photos of the day, visit the National Geographic Web Page.  

Light Graffiti

A new form of photography that I find very interesting is light graffiti. This type of photography allows you to create your own subject by moving a light in front of an exposed shudder. You can create anything from a simple string of designs to a detailed image. Here is a tutorial on light graffiti:

All you really need is a somewhat dark area, a light of any color (usually a small flashlight), and a tripod (or a very steady set of hands). Then, set your camera to have a long exposure time (the settings are different on each camera). Once the shutter has opened, step a few feet from the front of the lens, and begin to move the light to form a design or a picture.

This type of photography is very interactive, as instead of searching for an image as photographers usually do, you are making the image yourself. Light graffiti, although something that may seem difficult at first is rewarding, fun, and will allow you to feel more connected to your photos.

Here are some designs that you can try: