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!
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...
Will the Rain Stop?
This was the question on my mind as we drove the 10 miles of windy roads in pouring rain toward Hocking Hills State Park. I had visited this park many times in the past, but I especially wanted it to stop raining today because my entire family was with me this...
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The clouds really made for an interesting effect during the solar eclipse! I saw one of the eclipse workshop students` photo that looked similar to this, and I liked it so much I immediately went about creating my own version! The trial of clouds turned out to be a friend.
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The Lord parted the clouds for just long enough to be able to see the eclipse in its full glory! Solar eclipses are so AMAZING!
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Will we be able to see the eclipse?? First contact has passed, and I`ve only had one glimpse....
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The sun was shining for the Solar Eclipse Photography Workshop practice session this morning! Praying it will be clear at the critical moment later today!
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Solar Eclipse Photography Workshop kicked off last night!! Thank you @gabe_cleator for the photo!
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It was a challenge to work this scene! 😀 Having a prominent sunburst to incluse really helps.
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Not what you`d expect for a Kentucky landscape!
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"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, `Who shall bring me down to the ground?`" (Obadiah 1:3). All I can think of is, beware America.
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Become a photographer: www.lenspiration.com
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Had a great time at the IAHE @theiahe convention over the weekend! 7 photography students on the Photography Team Workshop plus 2 alumni @isaac.peterson.media @elijah.fullerton covering the conference while the beginners were getting up to speed!
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For, lo, He that formed the mountains, and created the wind, and declared unto man what is his thought, that makes the morning darkness, and treads upon the high places of the earth, "The LORD", "The God of hosts," is His name (Amos 4:13).
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Become a photographer: www.lenspiration.com
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"...if any say, `I have sinned, and perverted that which was right...`, [God] will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." --Elihu on repentance, in Job 33:27-28
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PRAYER. That`s this month`s Shoot to Serve photo assignment! Learn how to shoot it yourself or submit your own photos at www.lenspiration.com/current-assignment
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Really enjoyed stopping at the New River Gorge yesterday! The Lord even worked it out to be there for sunset.
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"I [God] taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them" (Hosea 11:3). It took me a few times reading this chapter to realize just how packed it is with God`s love! Isn`t that how it is, though? It doesn`t matter how often or how much we forget about Him, He is always working on us and helping us to return to Him.
Reminds me of something that happened yesterday! I was recording various business statistics in the morning and this thought popped into my head: "I`ve only photographed 1 wedding so far this year. It normally takes 2-3 for supplemental income to stay on budget....I wonder if any more will come up this year." And I kept right on going. I completely didn`t even pray about it! Not a single thought to ask the Lord to provide. A great example of forgetting about God in day to day life.
But guess what? God`s working on me without me even knowing it. An email came in later that day from a friend, asking if I could photograph their wedding. And I was convicted! "Lord, you provide for me even when I forget about you!" His loves us so much. He wants to provide for us! And now it is fresh on my mind to ask Him for provision so He will receive all the glory and honor for all He does to provide for me. Take me by the hand, Lord, and teach me how to live!
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Become a photographer: www.lenspiration.com
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New post on the blog about my latest winter photo excursions! www.lenspiration.com/blog
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The perfect sunrise at Nubble Lighthouse, Maine! A perfect illustration of Hosea 5:15, "I [God] will return to My place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early." May the storms in our lives lead us to repentance of sin.
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Become a photographer: www.lenspiration.com
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"And they consider not in their hearts that I [God] remember all their wickedness:...they are before My face" (Hosea 7:2). No point in trying to hide anything from the Lord! Instead, he that confesses and forsakes their sin shall have mercy! (Proverbs 28:13) This photo was taken in Garden of the God`s, Colorado. The distant storm clouds, red rock, wide open views, and interesting formations made this place such an enjoyable place to photograph!
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Become a photographer: www.lenspiration.com
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