Blog - Lenspiration

On Assignment: In Search of a Grand Piano

by James Staddon | Nov 15, 2019 | Assignments

When it came time to make a video for this current photo assignment, I found myself visiting friends in Virginia without a clue where I was going to find a grand piano! Thankfully they all loved photography too, so we got together to figure out where to find a piano to shoot, actually go out and shoot it, and pull... Read More »

Autumn in Connecticut

by James Staddon | Oct 31, 2019 | Updates & Opportunities

The Autumn in Connecticut photography workshop was so much fun! Thank you Richard Spearin and Lydia Bennett for teaming up to bring together your photography friends to make the Photography Field Day a success! I’m so grateful we found Castle Craig as a place to go for afternoon photos. It was a gorgeous view!... Read More »

What Is A Significant Photo?

by James Staddon | Oct 18, 2019 | Assignments

Ansel Adams is said to have stated, “Twelve significant photos in any one year is a good crop.” Great advice. Especially for us in this digital age! But, what exactly is a significant photo? I had my own ideas, but I thought it would be fun to find out from other people what they thought made a photo... Read More »

How to Not Lose Your Photoshop Actions

by James Staddon | Sep 30, 2019 | Updates & Opportunities

The time had come. Two weeks shy of four years of steady operation, my computer hard drive decided it was time to die. Thankfully, most of my stuff was backed up. But it turns out that there was something I thought was backed up, but actually wasn’t. My Photoshop Actions. I don’t use Photoshop a ton, but... Read More »

Dealing With Low Light Situations

by James Staddon | Sep 20, 2019 | Tips & Tricks

A former photography workshop student contacted me the other day with a really great question: I have a quick question for you that has been bothering me for awhile. What steps do you typically take to address a low-light situation? Do you start by lowering shutter speed? Then f-stop? Then ISO? Anything else? In what... Read More »

The Toughest Photo Assignment Yet!

by James Staddon | Sep 13, 2019 | Assignments

Heritage Defense, a Texas-based organization dedicated to protecting the biblical family through legal assistance and public policy initiatives, is creating two life-sized posters to be used as part of their trade show booth backdrop display . . . and they have asked the photographers on Lenspiration to shoot the... Read More »

A $745 Mistake

by James Staddon | Sep 7, 2019 | Stories & Expeditions

Bang! Have you ever seen a lens fall off a camera at waist height and land onto a wooden floor? And better yet, a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens? Up until Reece & Stacy’s wedding, I hadn’t either. I’m still impressed with the build quality of that lens. Even from that fall, there was not a crack, not a dent,... Read More »

Why I’m Headed to Georgia

by James Staddon | Aug 30, 2019 | Stories & Expeditions

Most of my summer travels had been planned out before March. A Photography Team in Texas in July. Another one in Michigan in late August. A wedding shoot soon after, but maybe some Photography Field Days in between in random places throughout the Midwest? Historically, attendance at Texas Photography Teams have been... Read More »

On Assignment: Going Telephoto in the Back Yard!

by James Staddon | Aug 16, 2019 | Assignments

I’ve done a lot of outdoor photography, but I’ve done very little with telephoto lenses! Why? Because the longest lens I’ve ever had in the longest time was a 70-200mm. And on a full frame, that just doesn’t reach very far. When I was first getting started in photography, I used my dads old... Read More »

5 Quick Tips for Getting Real Smiles

by Mary Neiman | Aug 9, 2019 | Tips & Tricks

Let’s face it. Real smiles are important for a good portrait. Saying “cheese” usually isn’t enough to help people feel comfortable and really smile in front of the lens. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable to have your portrait taken, so starting with these 5 tips, a good photographer can put their clients at ease and start... Read More »