Learn how ISO affects exposure, image quality, and creative control in photography—covering digital vs. film, dynamic range, and when to use high or low ISO.
the basics
Finding Inspiration in Simple Things: Overcoming Creative Slumps
Inspiration isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about finding magic in the ordinary. Embrace small spaces, favorite subjects, and light to reignite creativity.
Bellows Extension Compensation Made Simple: Methods, Tools & Tips
If you use a 4×5 or any bellows camera, knowing when and how to apply bellows extension compensation is key. This guide covers simple, effective methods.
Creative Techniques Using Shutter Speed
Shutter speed unlocks creative potential in photography—learn five techniques like motion blur, panning, and light painting to transform your images with artistic flair.
F/Stops: An Essential Tool in Creative Photography
Dive into the world of f/stops and unlock the key to creative control in your photography. Experiment and watch your images transform before your eyes.
Cutting Film with Precision: A Guide to Stress-Free Slide Mounting
Struggling to cut film accurately? Discover how to achieve clean, precise cuts effortlessly with the Matin Multiple Slide Film Cutter and a lightbox.
Organizing Digital and Film Portfolios
In today’s digital world, proper organization of your photography work is essential, whether you shoot film, digital, or both. This article explores how to manage the storage of both film and digital work.
Framing the Shot: A Guide to Viewing Frames for Photographers
In this post, we’ll explore various options for viewing frames—from ready-made tools like the ViewCatcher, to repurposing materials you might already have, and even crafting your own custom viewing frame.
The Art of Pre-Visualization in Landscape Photography
In this article, I share the previsualization technique that guides me to where I need to set up the camera.
Shading and Enhancing: The Matte Box Advantage
I discovered that a matte box, typically used with DSLR and video cameras, can also be an excellent accessory for other camera types, like panoramic and large-format cameras.
Capturing Clarity: A Guide to MTF Charts and Lens Sharpness
Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) is used to describe how well a lens captures and reproduces details. This article explores the factors contributing to a high MTF.
Black & White Film Developing: Stand, Semi-Stand, Standard
This article is about how I process black-and-white films. I choose to hand process my 4×5, 120, and the occasional 135 films. Here, I will share the processing equipment I have used and what I have been using for the past decade.
Understanding the Exposure Triangle in Photography
Unravel the Exposure Triangle to master well-exposed images in photography. Learn how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together to create stunning visuals.
Shedding Light on Filter Factors: A Guide to Optimizing Exposure in Photography
This article explores filter factors, explaining their function and presenting three distinct methods for calculation.
Pinhole Photography: Perfect Exposure Without Gadgets
A pinhole camera, often called a “camera obscura,” is a lensless camera used for centuries to study light and optics. Today, it is popular in education and art. Photographers craft pinhole cameras from everyday items like cigar boxes and paint cans, or through CNC machining and woodworking. Others opt for ready-made pinholes compatible with existing cameras or those manufactured by others. This timeless device continues to inspire creativity and exploration in the photography world.
Lens Case Recycling: Updating The Labels
Recycle unused lens cases! In this follow-up to *Camera Bag Versatility*, I share how I repurpose cases—like my old Fujifilm 23/2 case—for new gear needs.
4×5 Film Holders: Care & Carry
Learn how a simple pastry brush keeps dust out of film holders—a timeless technique I learned in photography school and still use today for clean, sharp images.
Panorama In Pieces
While away on a quick personal trip to Marietta, Georgia, I tried using my favorite point-and-shoot camera, the Fujifilm x100t for panorama making. Earlier in the week, I instructed my students to make a panorama using Lightroom (LR), vertical slice shots, and manual focus for their weekly shoot assignment. After a brief walk around Marietta Square, I thought I would try and photograph a beautiful church and challenge the software with vertical and horizontal slices to see if a tourist with a point-and-shoot camera could make a decent-looking panorama and then share the results with my students.