Pierre Steenberg

Foreground shapes

October 20, 2019 • Leave a Comment

You have heard me say that an interesting foreground is good for landscape images. This adds interest and depth to the image. What can be even better compositionally than a strong foreground? How about finding a strong foreground that leads into the image? How about a strong foreground that points to the main compositional element of the image? How...

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Using light and dark areas compositionally

October 13, 2019 • Leave a Comment

We have already mentioned in previous blogs that various things can be used compositionally. Elements - the placement of elements shape composition Color - certain colors draw the viewer's eyes more so than other colors so where we place these colors impacts composition Differences - anything different will stand out which turns whatever is...

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Correcting Distortion

October 06, 2019 • Leave a Comment

Landscape photographers often like to use very wide angle lenses. Most of the time we do so to exaggerate something in the foreground. From time to time we do so because it is necessary due to the size of what we are shooting. This is Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona. This scene cannot be photographed from the ground without using a really wide...

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Dealing with noise selectively (locally)

September 29, 2019 • Leave a Comment

I have said it before, amateurs work more with global adjustments in post processing while professionals use more selective localized adjustments. There are good reasons for so doing, especially when dealing with noise. There are mostly no silver bullets. Everything we do have tradeoffs. Photography by its very nature is all about tradeoffs. Softwa...

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Sunstars and flare

September 22, 2019 • Leave a Comment

Yes, I know that some people really like flare in their shots. No, I don't know why they like it either. Flare certainly has its place if you are trying to portray a harsh, hot, and dry environment but those are the exceptions to me. I have written in previous blogs how to deal with flare when you shoot. There are techniques that will help you elim...

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Dealing with crowds at iconic locations

September 15, 2019 • Leave a Comment

Have you ever been to Mesa Arch in Canyonlands (other than in winter)? What about Oxbow Bend in Grand Tetons National Park? How about Yosemite, Zion National Park, or the slot canyons in Page, Arizona? If you have you will understand the challenges faced in dealing with the crowds of people hindering a clear shot. If you have not attempted to photo...

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Destination Wedding Photography

September 08, 2019 • Leave a Comment

You are asked to photograph a destination wedding. How is destination wedding photography different from "normal" wedding photography? How can you be a successful destination wedding photographer or just a good one if this is not your business? Your family and friends know that you do photography, sooner or later you will be asked to shoot a weddin...

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Wildlife photography

September 01, 2019 • Leave a Comment

The best wildlife photographs are often those that show either action or animal interaction. Wait for them to have dinner or to chat with each other or to lick each other or do something. I am not going to say much today, here are some examples: Wait for them to look at you. Wait for the trunk to be in the mouth, or grabbing something. Fill the f...

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Shooting the action

August 25, 2019 • Leave a Comment

Wildlife photography requires patience and persistence. You might drive for an hour or so without even seeing any animals. When you see them they may be too far, or they are not doing anything. Things can get boring waiting for the animals to interact or do something worth photographing. However, things can happen without notice and they often don'...

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Composing wildlife images

August 18, 2019 • Leave a Comment

We typically have two options when it comes to the composition of wildlife. Either we photograph the animal showing it in its environment as part of the landscape or we photograph the animal filling the frame. In the first case, the animal can be relatively small in the image. Compose the image as you would a landscape image. The animal needs to be...

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