Great Websites about Photography

Today I would like to post some selected sites related to photography that I follow. So here we start:

• http://digitalprotalk.blogspot.com/

This is the blog of David Ziser that I follow almost on a daily basis. David provides here top quality information about photography techniques, lighting, composition, business tips, photoshop/lightroom tricks. Every week a new video and a lot more. Highly recommended to take a look at and browse in the video archive. I have learned so many useful tips on these pages, thanks David!

• http://strobist.blogspot.com/

Another great site about using off-camera flash. A great source of inspiration and a must see place if you are into portable light technique using the small strobes.

• http://www.squeezethelime.com/

I really enjoy the articles and videos posted on this project page. Perhaps not updated that often as the other pages but high quality information. Do not forget the check the links to the blogs of Bert and Pieter!

• http://www.jasminestarblog.com/
• http://jeffascough.typepad.com/
• http://www.jerryghionisblog.com/

Here are a few blogs that I like to return to. Very inspiring photos. Do not forget to check also Jerry's educational videos. What an incredible energy he has, definitely worth seeing (chapter 13 is for free, don't miss it).

• http://www.interviewsbycrashtaylor.com/interviews/

If you are into wedding photography, you can read here interviews with top wedding photographers and hear what gear they use, what defines their style and other stuff.

And finally, if you are looking for some affordable gels for your little strobes, take a look here http://flashgels.co.uk/.

That's all for today, hope you have enjoyed some of these great places!

SMS Me

Here comes another photo I took during my recent trip to Hong Kong. I was passing through the streets of this amazing city and spotted this woman typing an SMS message. The lines on the right hand-side immediately caught my attention and I pressed the shutter button without being observed. I believe that this image demonstrates a strong composition as the lines bring all focus onto the woman while creating an interesting negative space at the same time. Camera spec: Canon 20D with Canon 28-105 3,5-4,5 F at 80mm, F5,6 @ 1/250, ISO 800.

The Eyes of Love

This photo was taken about two weeks ago at a destination wedding in Macao in front of the Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral. I really like how the viewers attention is drawn directly to the eyes of the bride. The couple seems very relaxed and enjoying the late afternoon after getting married. Camera spec: Canon 20D with Canon 28-105 3,5-4,5 USM at 72mm, F5.6 @ 1/160, ISO 400.

A Wedding in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is indeed a great place to get married. I took this photo on my last trip there but unfortunately it was quite foggy so I had to use a graduated filter in Lightroom to give a punch to the skyscrapers at the background. The photo was taken with a natural only and I think that the colors play together quite well. If you plan a destination wedding in Hong Kong and need a photographer, let me know ... Camera spec: Canon 20D with Tokina 11-16/2.8 at 16mm, F11 @ 1/60, ISO 100.

Thinking of You

This photo is one of ma favorites. The light comes from the shoot-through umbrella with my old Metz 54 MZ 3 flash and 1/4 CTO gel to the camera right, providing a very nice highlight to shadow play on the right cheek. The closed eyes add to the mystery. The background was turned to BW in Lightroom to emphasize the main object. Camera spec: Canon 5D mark ii with Canon 24-105 IS F4 at 99mm, F5,6 @ 1/20, ISO 800.

A Moment of Silence

I took this picture a few months ago and I though I would share it for today's post. It is a simple natural light portrait which emphasizes the harmony of the moment. The triangular pose formed by the positions of the hands leaning on the horizontal bar always works. To soften the shadows on her face I placed a silver reflector to camera left. Camera spec: Canon 5D mark ii with Canon 70-200 4F at 87mm, F5,6 @ 1/250, ISO 800.

Oslo Sunset

About two weeks ago we were on a ferry trip to Oslo in Norway. We were very lucky to experience a beautiful sunset scenery that I want to share with you today. The photo was slightly improved in Lightroom by increasing the vibrance and contrast little bit. Still the colors are true and pretty amazing. Camera spec: Canon 5D mark ii with Canon 24-105 4L at 65mm, F11 @ 1/640, ISO 100.

Prague at Night

This spring I visited Prague for a few days and one late evening I noticed the beautiful play of colors at the Charles Bridge. Luckily I had my Manfrotto mini-tripod with me (well, actually I always have it with me) and took this exposure. The colors are only little bit saturated in Lightroom, otherwise this is how the photo looked when I took it. Camera spec: Canon 20D with Tokina 11-16 F2,8 at 15mm, F8 @ 6s, ISO 100.