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!
Pic of the Month: March ‘11
New River Gorgeousness Owing to much planning, traveling, and work, there was not much time for photography this past month. But having a camera handy at all times does pay off. We had been on the road for over six hours, and there was a good three hours...
The Next Adventure
The Chicago O’Hare Airport is a wonderful place. Every international trip I’ve taken has begun there. None of these trips have ever been for the sole purpose of picture taking, but it certainly pays to bring a camera along. Though I am attracted to the distinctive...
Two Perspectives
Most people are happy when spring begins to appear. But one sad thing about spring coming is that all the snow melts. Then it rains. And rains. And then, because it’s really still winter, it gets cold again and everything turns to ice. Most people are unhappy about...
Understanding Design!
Do you know the basic rules of design? Do you know how to use Photoshop to create anything you want? Do you wish you could lay out brochures and other print material in InDesign? That’s what last weeks Desktop Publishing course at Verity Institute was all about!...
Pic of the Month: February ‘11
Under the Sun Have you ever considered that all your wonderful camera equipment is not much more than this: weeds? Both will eventually break down. One more quickly than the other, of course, but neither of them will last very long. And why do I say this? To warn...
The Journey North, Part VI
There is one last photography-related activity worth taking note of: an activity most unique to anything I have ever experienced. In, or should I say beneath, a portion of downtown Rochester, New York, there remains an old, abandoned subway tunnel. Allen, my friend...
The Journey North, Part V
The fact that it took pretty much all day to travel by car and train from Beachburg to the US border at Niagara Falls, resulted in the serendipitous event that I arrived at the falls after dark. I can attest that Niagara Falls is spectacular at night. But it is...
The Journey North, Part IV
The last evening and morning in Beachburg was probably the most picturesque. It was clear, which was uncharacteristic of my stay in Canada. Having gone to bed late, due to travel the day before and a desire to take pictures that night, I almost missed the colorful...
The Journey North, Part III
The day I visited Parliament Hill, situated on the banks of the Ottawa River in Ontario, Canada, was probably the most intense of the entire trip. There were deadlines to meet and established limits to the amount of time spent in various places. The rhythm was...
The Journey North, Part II
As we approached the the colossal structure known as Abbey of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, near Magog, Quebec, I felt the thrill of excitement that accompanies every photographer upon entering a particularly photogenic location. However, the opposition was clearly...
The Journey North, Part I
If you can, do it. It’s not always possible--nor is it always right--to do everything. But if it’s possible, and if it’s right, do it! I have not traveled often by myself, nor do I recommend it, but over the past two weeks, the pieces fit together perfectly to...
A Huge Blessing
That’s right; completely sold out! Thanks to you and the many who purchased Lenspiration’s Observe 2011 calendar, I have no more left to sell. The endeavor was a success! “. . . if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all...
Pic of the Month: January ‘11
Full Moon in January It’s fun to go though pictures of the past month as I sit in my cozy little office looking outside at the blowing snow and thinking about the blizzard warnings here in Chicago. There was snow on the ground for most of January, and it appears as...
Tracking Down the Right Tripod
The principles of finding the right tripod is not much different than finding anything else relating to photography, such as a compact camera. Therefore, having just finished going through the process of researching and purchasing a new tripod, I will expound more...
Shootout at the Bridge
It’s not often that I get to go on a photoshoot with someone else. But when a friend called me last night to ask if I would like to accompany him on a night photography venture, I readily jumped at the chance. It wasn’t anything fancy; just a stroll down to where a...
Use Your Skills
Along with photography, I enjoy doing layout and design projects on the side. A business in Connecticut needed a simple sheet explaining how to pay bills using PayPal. After talking over details with the company, researching the PayPal website, and conducting a...
How to Choose a Compact Camera
George poked his head into the office. “I’m heading off to Australia tomorrow for the annual ATI Conference” he said. “Would you be the one to ask for a camera to bring along with me?” Yes, I was the guy to talk to. But what camera would I give him? The old Nikon...