Lenspiration Blog
Welcome! Wherever you are on your photography journey, learn to take better photos through the photography tips and stories you'll find in the following free articles. By learning from the experience of others, you can also start taking pictures that you're excited to share with others!
First Plunge into HDR
Well, I gave in and finally bought Photomatix. After experimenting with three different programs, Lightroom, Photoshop CS5, and Photomatix, I figured this was the best way to go. Lightroom does an excellent job simulating HDR with it’s Fill Light slider, but the...
Three Pictures
Last Wednesday I taught a ultra-short-course in photography composition. It was the perfect day to teach because we were already at a State Park for a day-trip. I gave each person the assignment to take three pictures with the following criteria: Picture with a...
Know the Quick Tips
For when you only have a few minutes to talk to someone who asks for tips on how to take good pictures, you might consider the following elements that have been helpful for me: Produce Emotional Impact Purpose (what message do you want people to walk away from the...
Pic of the Month: September ‘10
Spinning Stars There are two kinds of movement you can creatively capture with a camera, each one producing it’s own unique affect. The first is subject movement, the second is camera movement. Subject movement is easily captured by slowing down your shutter...
Shooting the Night Sky
There is so much creativity involved when it comes to taking pictures at night. Most folks might say it’s best to shoot with a full moon. However, it is just as exciting to take pictures during a new moon. At this point the stars are the clearest and it doesn’t...
Welcome Autumn!
Though the trees are still mostly green, though yesterdays temperatures rose almost to 90 degrees, though in most respects it still feels like summer . . . there’s a particular rasp in the breeze-tossed trees, the chill of night lingers longer each morning, the...
Shoot Manual!
Just learning how to use an SLR? Is the multitude of settings a little overwhelming? Not sure how to use the manual modes? Persevere! Don’t waste your SLR by using the automatic settings! Learn to shoot with the manual modes (Av, Tv, M) every time you pick up the...
Be Prepared
When you do extraordinary things to get an extraordinary picture, I have found that it is important to be prepared with a good response to give anyone who might be questioning what you’re up to. In Indiana a few weeks ago, I was enjoying the warmth of the sunlight...
A Glimpse into the Past
Hi, I came across your site and was wondering how you got started with photography and what equipment you used and currently use. I would love to know how to get into it. --Frances Thanks for contacting me! I'd be more than willing to share how God has led me into...
Pic of the Month: August ‘10
Indiana Countryside When I was first getting into photography, I remember reading something like this: “A landscape photographer never has any leisure time. He’s out before dawn; he scouts locations during the heat of the day; and he doesn’t return until after...
Shedding Some Light on Lens Hoods
What is the purpose of a lens hood and when do you use one? –Hannah I remember many a cheery late-afternoon, squatting in some awkward position in some secluded location attempting to get just the perfect angle of some perfect composition, where I had to get in an...
Need Help Choosing a Canon Lens
Recently someone told me that they were seriously updating their lenses and wanted my recommendation on what portrait lens I would recommend. I couldn’t really tell her exactly what lens to buy because I don’t do enough portraiture to be 100% confident, but I could...
Shooting at Midday
If you have to take a picture in the sun, how can you use the bright light to your advantage? Often, our "working on the farm" shots need taken in the heat of the day--when we're working. Is there a way to do that right, or will all the...
Want to Learn Desktop Publishing?
I drove down to Indianapolis with three folks from Headquarters today and joined five other students who are greatly anticipating a lively, full, intense week of learning DTP! I’m looking forward to sharing tips in Photoshop and InDesign, studying principles of...
Critiquing the Details
Michael is an energetic, responsible young photographer who attends the same church here in Chicago that I’ve been attending for the past two years. I didn’t know he enjoyed photography until recently, so I was quite elated when I received an e-mail from him...
Finding the Right Camera
I have often been asked: “What camera would you recommend I buy?” There is no easy answer. There are dozens of important factors to consider such as what type of photography you want to pursue and how much you are willing to pay. Add to this technical factors such...
A Piece of Montana
Thanks for letting me critique your pictures, Barbara. I’ve never been to Montana before, so it’s neat to see your beautiful state from your perspective. No matter how brilliant a sunset may be, they indefinitely end up looking “flat” without a subject in the...
Comments on a Battery Grip
I just got a new battery grip for my 40D. I usually only buy Canon products and accessories, but I didn’t feel like spending all the extra money. So I held my breath and bought a Zeikos ZE-CBG50 Battery Power Grip for Canon 40D & 50Ds. And I guess I’m still...
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Let us remember this Memorial Day the reason why it`s so important to remember....see today`s blog post at www.lenspiration.com!
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When I have time, driving out on random roads just to see what landscapes present themselves for a photo, is one if my most favorite things to do!
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#landscapephoto #landscape #landscapephotography #art #nature #photo #godscreation #creation #greatoutdoors #outdoors #explore #optoutside #landscapeshot #canon #outdoorlife #photographyeducator #photoblogger #christianphotographer #photography #photographer #wvphotographer #lenspiration #pennsylvania #barn #farm
Using sunlight on a waterfall to my advantage at Falls Branch Falls in western Tennessee.
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Simple sunrise over Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, Washington.
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Wow. WV wow!
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Had a great time with this team at @teachdiligently #pigeonforge 2023!
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Enjoying the Tennessee scenery today! Since I don`t have an ND filter for the lenses I had with me, I focused on photographing the portions of waterfall that were in shade.
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What a great team to photograph with last week at @familyconfs @alertacademy #2023familyconference
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I had never heard Nathan Johnson from Elerslie speak before! I had also never done tripod photography during a speaking session and merged the photos in post to get better quality results. Also, first time teaching at a homeschool conference with my wife. 😍 Lots of great firsts at the #familyconference2023! @familyconfs @alertacademy
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Big Sandy Family Conference kicks off with the National Anthem!
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Getting ready for Family Conference next week! Last year, for the Photography Team, we had a family "model" for us so we could get experience working with a family before going out and taking pictures of families we didn`t know. Planning on doing the same thing again this year! @familyconfs @alertacademy #2023familyconference #homediscipleship @homediscipleshipnetwork
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Some friends introduced me to a great photo spot along the highway in eastern Oaklahoma yesterday....check out Cross on the Prairie near Pryor, OK!
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Tuckered out after hiking all over the place in Turkey Run SP during CAPTURE Indiana!
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Having a great time at Turkey Run State Park!
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Just finished up a fantastic Indiana Photography Field Day!
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#fieldday #photographyfieldday #workshop #photographyworkshop #outdoors #photographyday #photographyskills #photographybusiness #homeschooled #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #homeeducators #homeeducate #homeschoolingteens #lifelearning #homescool #photographyeducator #photoblogger #christianphotographer #photography #photographer #wvphotographer #lenspiration #farm #sunset
Scouting for the CAPTURE Indiana photography workshop this morning!
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On the way to the CAPTURE Indiana photography workshop this weekend!
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Here`s the real photo from that shoot I posted about earlier. Much, much better quality 😊
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