I can’t believe that March is more than half over. It seems like this winter just flew right by! A few short weeks ago, we had those gorgeous, Five PM sunsets and hours of golden light each day, and here we are now, with almost 12-hours of daylight and a sun that hangs in the sky until after 8 PM. It makes me wonder if I did enough and if I took enough pictures during the past three months, especially when I compare them to all the photos that I shot last winter. 

 

I always wonder that, though. You probably do as well. It seem like it’s human nature to look back and try and hold our current accomplishments against a benchmark of what we’ve done during similar instances in the past. I try not to get too bogged down in those kinds of comparisons, I just try to forge ahead with whatever project I’ve currently immersed in and see it through to completion. 

 

In the end, I always find that no matter what I shot last year, I keep improving and growing as a photographer from year to year. Sure, there my be peaks and lulls in that journey, and when I shoot something that I feel is truly amazing, it’s only natural to set that as the new benchmark for future comparisons, I try not to dwell on trying to how I’m going to “top” that. I just keep shooting. I just keep experimenting with my craft and see what happens.

 

 

I released my latest eBook last week. It’s called Behind The Action - Creating Adventure Imagery, Step-by-Step. 

 

It lays out the exact step-by-step process for 12 specific adventure and outdoor type images. Essentially, I let you, the reader, look over my shoulder as I scout the location, gauge the light, choose my equipment, come up with an approach, execute the final image and reflect on how it all went down. I even show you a number of outtakes so that you can follow along and see how the final shot eventually came about.

 

In short, Behind The Action is the closest thing you’ll ever get to actually being there on the shoot with me and watching me work. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to teach you how to become a better photographer aside from bringing you on as an assistant. Even if you have a solid understanding of photography and equipment, this book will show you the nuts and bolts of how to put it all together when you’re out there on location and the dust is flying, the light is changing and your scene is quickly unfolding.

 

Here’s just a short sample of what you will learn:

 

• How to Create Professional Level Images

• The Exact Gear Used in Each Shot

• The Exact Camera Settings

• What Was Done in Post Production

• And Exactly WHY Each of The Above Decisions Was Made

 

If you’ve already picked up a copy of Behind the Action, then I’d like to thank you for your support. I hope that it helps you improve your own outdoor imagery. If you enjoy it, consider sending me a testimonial that I can use, writing a review on your own blog or sharing the link to your other photographer friends.

 

If you haven’t picked it up yet, you can read more about the book on my blog, or grab a copy here. Use the special discount code EARLYBIRD and you’ll save 20%. Don’t wait, though, the discount won’t last very long. 

 

 

At some point in your photo career, you’ll consider entering a photo contest. My guess is that you’ve already entered at least one. Although it’s been awhile, I’ve certainly entered contests before, and I suspect that I’ll do it again in the future. PDN has a variety of great contests throughout the year, as does Digital Photo Pro and National Geographic.

 

However, before entering any photo contest, male sure you read the fine print. There are many contest out there that are nothing more than thinly veiled rights grabs that strip photographers of all ownership of their photos. I’ve even heard of some companies holding contests whereby the “winner” gets to have their photo published in some ad or project for free. Instead of offering to pay photographers for their work, these companies simply pretend that they’re offering the great honor of being published. It’s a low ball way of simply trying to get something for free.

 

Read this story about a photographer who ended up handing over all rights to his imagery and learn to be suspicious of photo contests. Don’t just jump blindly in. Carefully read all terms and make sure that they don't demand you give up anything you're not comfortable with.

 

 

What exactly is bit depth? We hear it all the time with digital photography. 8-Bit images. 14-bit RAW files. 16-bit conversions. What does this all mean? Considering that it’s such an essential part of digital photography, it would seem that we should all have a solid understanding of these terms and how to apply them. However, since, it’s so rarely explained when we buy and use our cameras and photo software, the fact is that we just don’t all know. 

 

Here’s an excellent and very well illustrated tutorial by Lightroom Laura that runs you through the basics of Bit Depth and what it means. Here’s another great tutorial on the Cambridge In Color website. Hopefully, after reading these, you’ll have a much better understanding of this terminology.

 

That’s all I’ve got time for in this week’s newsletter. I hope that you’ve been out shooting and that you’re excited about Spring being right around the corner!

 

Have fun your camera this week, and enjoy my most recent posts!

 

Take care,

 

Dan