Lenspiration | Samuel West | Mentions https://www.lenspiration.com/members/samuelwest/activity/mentions/ Activity feed mentioning Samuel West. Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:12:03 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 a17e5fb8f6c8d2752cdc0fe0550ab9de James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Sweet as Honey in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-honey/page/3/#post-101783 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:55:08 -0400 EXCELLENT use of foreground blur, @blessingscaptured!

From looking at the photos, I would never have guessed you were low on honey, Henry @samuelwest.

Those are some amazing closeups, @loewfam!

You’re really controlling the light well there, @william-fallow72gmail-com

I really enjoyed seeing these previews and can’t wait to dive deeper into…Read more

]]> 699f588aea4f8093116842a05a3b1fa1 David Parris replied to the topic FEATURED: Glowing Scenery in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-glowing-scenery/page/7/#post-101237 Sat, 23 May 2026 03:59:35 -0400 @samuelwest That is some cool driftwood!

]]> c7efb0038184b5a7f1c4f5b39915eb61 James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Storm Clouds Breaking in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-breaking/page/3/#post-100595 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:16:45 -0400 That is so great, @parrisfamily Tabitha, your “all-purpose 400mm lens”. Love it! 😀 With a telephoto lens I can see how that would be a concern, so I’m glad nothing was damaged in the process of making your photos. 🙂 The photos over Lake Ontario are phenomenal! Very well composed.

@samuelwest your backyard photos look like they’re straight from…Read more

]]> 3dc7df5580b75c7341d7a799d7793c92 James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Looking Up in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/looking-up/page/2/#post-100018 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:55:22 -0500 Super! Thank you Cody (@samuelwest). I really like that first one, where you’re so close to the tree. I wonder if that same effect could have been used on the next photo, only better because there are those ribs (or are they vines?) going up the side of the tree, that could almost be used as leading lines into the scene.

]]> d4385039184ceec05ee72c157525e056 James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Your 12 Best Photos in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-best-photos/#post-97938 Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:48:10 -0400 I find it to be true with me also, @samuelwest, that some photo shoots are more productive than others. I’ll work hard to be at a good place for landscape photos at the right time of day, and compose photos there as purposefully as possible . . . and still not come away with anything. Whereas some locations, I’ll do the exact same thing, and I’ll…Read more

]]> 11814f2c7a8b7c63fdd23978e92fd70e Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Your 12 Best Photos in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-best-photos/#post-97907 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:19:50 -0400 Love it! That’s great @samuelwest!

]]> 0f9b3508410ac675f3064119d4a44be5 James Staddon replied to the topic Hot Pixels in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/hot-pixels/#post-97593 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:12:15 -0400 Ok, @samuelwest, because the spots are showing up in the same place, it means you either have dead pixels or stuck pixels, not hot pixels. You can read this article to determine which type you have: https://photographylife.com/dead-vs-stuck-vs-hot-pixels

The reason you have them is probably because it’s an old camera and the sensor is simply…Read more

]]> e83de45bdcffceeb1f76be70e4b39db2 James Staddon replied to the topic Hot Pixels in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/hot-pixels/#post-97544 Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:41:33 -0400 Hi Cody @samuelwest, I tried to do some research on this today but wasn’t coming up with much of anything new to add to the conversation, necessarily

It appears that hot pixels are caused from long exposures, high ISOs, and sensor degradation. You’re probably dealing with the last two.

Do those hot pixels show up in the exact same location from…Read more

]]> 5a10186c011af84b2e6434b3ced97db1 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic Hot Pixels in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/hot-pixels/#post-97453 Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:41:31 -0400 @samuelwest

Hey Cody, it looks like you got some helpful advice from William on this, but if you’re on the webinar tomorrow night and have more questions on this topic you’d like James to address, just pop a question in the chat!

]]> 99a2579d341d1294eeeb22842190327c Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Scenic Spots in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-scenic-spots/#post-96562 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:10:26 -0400 @samuelwest

Hey Cody! You should submit your locations to the Scouting Guide submission link on the assignment details page. Locations do not need to be submitted at the same time. Just make sure all locations you submit are in before the assignment deadline of Saturday, July 26 at midnight.

As with most assignments, you can feel free to share…Read more

]]> 2e124d56ea0e5a4e238b17298abbd628 James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Glory of the Morning in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-glory-morning/page/3/#post-95329 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:55:49 -0400 I was busy over the weekend so was unable to see your submissions come in, but I did just now go take a look and I am blown away!!

So many incredible places and creative ideas! It’s amazing how morning-like all these photos are. And they are all the more impressive when I think that they required getting up so early to take.

@samuelwest and @chi…Read more

]]> 299828b48d9daac5e3aff36c0212e7b7 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Portraits of Flowers in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-flowers/page/2/#post-94327 Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:46:25 -0400 @lenorascholl – Yay, glad this assignment worked so well for you, Jake!

@samuelwest – Thanks for sharing those verses, Cody!

]]> fd3186f94c0e75b2e88f260c2336d253 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Portraits of Flowers in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-flowers/page/2/#post-94279 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:57:02 -0400 Wow, this is great! Lovely photos and wonderful verses to accompany them!

I wanted to write some verses on them, but it is extremely tedious on our computer.

No worries, @samuelwest – no need to add the verses to the photos! Sharing the verses here on the forum is the best way to do it.

]]> b1132d704dfe19836cac781bbd991f80 Loewen Family replied to the topic FEATURED: Portraits of Flowers in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-flowers/page/2/#post-94228 Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:27:31 -0400 These are all so beautiful! The first picture you submitted, Cody @samuelwest is epic!
Leanne

]]> 23b92dc56fe722194f44577ea3b60947 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic Advice on preventing sun flare in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/advice-on-preventing-sun-flare/#post-89638 Thu, 29 Aug 2024 21:13:08 -0400 @samuelwest

It was good to hear @jamesstaddon‘s thoughts on your question during Tuesday’s webinar, Cody! Here’s a link to the replay, if you (or anyone else) wants to re-watch that.

Did you find that to be helpful? Any follow-up questions or comments on what he shared?

]]> ca1b6292349cbdb38e4d5e2145fb0389 James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Church in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-church/page/2/#post-89442 Fri, 23 Aug 2024 18:09:12 -0400 I recognize that church, @samuelwest! 😀

]]> 0f6493bcb4925a77b0257a496825df13 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Picturesque Places in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-places/page/2/#post-89015 Thu, 01 Aug 2024 22:24:32 -0400 Ok folks, here’s a replay link to the webinar where @jamesstaddon critiqued the submissions and announced the winners, in case you missed it!

Thanks to each and every one who participated in the assignment. It was exciting to see some international locations come in, and additions of places literally all over the US. Looking forward to seeing the…Read more

]]> e4fd38d78a3ec56c16eea2c36bd4e294 James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Picturesque Places in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-places/page/2/#post-88387 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 21:02:17 -0400 @anita, I’m glad you enjoyed photographing for this assignment! That is such a neat looking place. Never heard of it before! Definitely makes me want to go out and explore some more. 🙂

Thank you, also, @joannapotter, @samuelwest, @dotremain, and the many others who submitted locations!

With over 400 submitted photos, this is by far the…Read more

]]> 75dd51e77bd5789a30d1734e049717b9 Logan Lamar replied to the topic Winter scene photo editing challenge in the forum Photo Critique https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/winter-scene-photo-editing-challenge/#post-86376 Sat, 20 Apr 2024 19:34:45 -0400 Hey! This looked kinda cool so I thought I’d jump in. I’m proud to say that @jamesstaddon was the first one to show me how to edit a RAW image at a homeschool conference eight years ago… it feels interesting to edit his image using some of his same techniques!

Like @lenspirationlydia, I didn’t look at James’s image before starting. I’m using…Read more

]]> 56f1f4e859d86f9a3e8971977c0d1cc2 James Staddon replied to the topic Winter scene photo editing challenge in the forum Photo Critique https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/winter-scene-photo-editing-challenge/#post-86043 Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:50:31 -0400 That’s so fun, @lenspirationlydia! Good idea, not to look at mine first. 🙂

Very interesting, @samuelwest, having never edited a snow photo before! I’m glad you can now say you have. 🙂

The reason I edited mine the way I did (kinda dark), is because I wanted attention to be drawn to the sky. I tried to bring out the color there as best I could.…Read more

]]> f1cfe288708c1b76531fb997fecd77b0 James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Prayer in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-prayer/page/2/#post-86021 Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:36:28 -0400 What great submissions! So creative. Many ideas I never would have thought of. I’m so sorry, @samuelwest Cody! 😭

Guess what? I heard that there were a total of 24 photographers who submitted for this assignment! Can you believe it? Not everyone posts their photos here on the forum, I guess. There’s going to be some pretty stiff composition…Read more

]]> c40c760cf793cec5321a53031a4341f8 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic Shooting to the glory of God in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/shooting-to-the-glory-of-god/page/2/#post-84955 Fri, 02 Feb 2024 16:43:32 -0500 That’s a great perspective, @samuelwest. Thank you for sharing!

]]> 6ca067da3c65ebaad4e10753b0db3978 Warrior Princess replied to the topic FEATURED: Balloons in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-balloons/#post-81150 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 17:18:47 -0400 @samuelwest Those are beautiful photos!!! I love the ones that show the grass in the foreground so much.

]]> 8b633f053da489d93155b405948b25d5 Allison Estabrook replied to the topic FEATURED: Photography Equipment Macro in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/photography-macro/page/3/#post-80648 Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:52:57 -0400 @samuelwest I had the same issue! I had no idea there was so much dust on everything until I went to edit the photos!

]]> f3607c743cf4c8f7094714caa257adac Warrior Princess replied to the topic FEATURED: Multi-generational Family in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-generational/page/2/#post-80154 Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:16:59 -0400 @parrisfamily That is such a blessing! You all do a lovely job. I actually just subscribed to Lightroom, and it is SO much easier to use than Corel Aftershot Pro.

@jamesstaddon thank you for your encouragement with Aftershot! I found out I really did need to upgrade because the format is just so much better in Lightroom. And now I can follow…Read more

]]> b4c8e0f5b528e04886319f35f7d64f8f James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Multi-generational Family in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-generational/page/2/#post-80149 Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:57:34 -0400 Guys, these are incredible!!
@samuelwest, what beautiful location and light.
@joannapotter, what a fun family to be working with.
@parrisfamily, such a well thought-out arrangement.
@musicgal, such authentic and excellent expressions.

There is so much I love about these photos! You have masterfully fulfilled an ADVANCED assignment. Thank you so…Read more

]]> 7ba4b6cda440831e8fd77ece5564f67c Warrior Princess replied to the topic FEATURED: Multi-generational Family in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-generational/#post-80107 Sat, 24 Jun 2023 01:20:12 -0400 @samuelwest Those are wonderful, Samuel! Are you on the far left in the whole family photos? As the photographer, that would be the best place to slip in before the timer runs out! (If you used the timer instead of a shutter release remote).

]]> 647d68d8040effc8b1fc044540dbbe4f James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Scientific Investigation in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-science/page/2/#post-79616 Wed, 31 May 2023 17:55:53 -0400 Well, after some intense moments on the webinar last night, narrowing down the 50+ submissions to the 10 finalists to finally the 1 and only winner, we can now congratulate @samuelwest to taking home the 1st place ribbon! Good job everyone. Will post the replay link to the webinar here soon.

]]> 7e7720268a66feab015ea466b9510901 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: The Month of March in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-month-of-march/page/6/#post-77280 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 20:03:50 -0400 Ok folks, here’s a replay link to the webinar where we critiqued the submissions and announced the winner in case you missed it! We enjoyed having Kevin from Nature Friend join us to share his thoughts on the photo submissions, and give some more info about Nature Friend Magazine!

And congratulations to the winners of this assignment (your…Read more

]]> 962ef3cb3964ccf4db279f4d353175ce Ruth replied to the topic FEATURED: Glowing Scenery in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-glowing-scenery/page/5/#post-75576 Mon, 27 Feb 2023 20:24:16 -0500 Here is the last…

@jemimajvr your pictures of the road and the last set of the sunset is stunning! You really did a great job!

@lowrymark I really like the barbed wire pictures! They are so amazing!

@warrior-princess I love the way you framed the desert and the road!

@samuelwest I love the sun burst and the glowing red marsh grass!! It…Read more

]]> bd652eea80bd18d7eb55c51fdf1c9956 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Joyful Pictures in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-joy/page/4/#post-75313 Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:41:49 -0500 Good news, everyone!! Karen loved ALL the photos so much that she would like to send a reward to every photographer who participated in this assignment!

So, congratulations, @warrior-princess, @esther, @ejvanwyk, @samuelwest, @chris1223, @allieworrall, @blessingscaptured, @laura-aome, @sager7, and @musicgal! (Did I get everyone?!) I’ll be in…Read more

]]> 736b4c59e2b50c7b14bcef66f4391f6d James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: Joyful Pictures in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-joy/page/3/#post-74553 Mon, 30 Jan 2023 23:33:12 -0500 Wow! I was not expecting so many submissions! I am so grateful for the time you all put into thinking through this assignment, photographing for it, and thoughtfully selecting each and every submission. It may not be “fun” at first to have to wrap our minds around how to shoot for the needs of someone else and put ourselves out there for possible…Read more

]]> 95a04cd5d2f689d9be66196d4669861d Warrior Princess replied to the topic FEATURED: Joyful Pictures in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-joy/page/2/#post-74406 Wed, 25 Jan 2023 22:03:38 -0500 @samuelwest Your photos are beautiful!!! I don’t think the noise is noticeable at all. 🙂

]]> ddcd86a99ba2839e075e8e4bc9b1ba25 James Staddon replied to the topic Wide Angle Lens in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/wide-angle-lens/#post-72688 Wed, 05 Oct 2022 12:18:12 -0400 Pardon my late reply, @samuelwest!

Barrel distortion specifically depends on the lens. It’s usually only noticeable in budget lenses.

What is more noticeable at ultra wide angles regardless of lens is “perspective distortion”. You will definitely see perspective distortion at 10mm. But whether it’s a problem is subjective. Trees leaning inward…Read more

]]> d397f0b15991656c6d0b9a9375014b91 Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Photographer at a Computer in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-photographer-computer/#post-72360 Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:08:36 -0400 @samuelwest, I’m glad you have a remote you could use! 😀

@laura-aome, thank you for taking time to photograph this assignment! It’s great your brother was willing to pose for you. 🙂

]]> 46ced70beafd0e0a26c26dc37f235adb Lydia Bennett replied to the topic Wide Angle Lens in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/wide-angle-lens/#post-72292 Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:56:17 -0400 What lenses do you already have, @samuelwest?

]]> e2ebf4727885bbeec65f4fe555b85cec James Staddon replied to the topic FEATURED: The Intricacy of God's Creation in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-creation-versepics/page/2/#post-70619 Tue, 24 May 2022 17:54:03 -0400 Beautiful, @samuelwest and @edpt1025!

]]> 918b10864d14058d4ebbb4d22d3146c7 Christian H. replied to the topic FEATURED: Family Moments Together in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-family-moments/page/2/#post-69776 Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:01:24 -0400 Hi everyone! Just wanted to give a shout-out to Jemima, our winner this month! And also a big, big “thank you” to everyone else who participated! Like James said, it was such a pleasure to see everyone’s hard work on this challenging project. 😄

I plan to catch up on the webinar replay tonight or tomorrow so I don’t miss out anything that went on…Read more

]]> d478f08425d020a233db809d6a763d0d Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Family Moments Together in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-family-moments/#post-69561 Fri, 25 Mar 2022 15:48:40 -0400 Yay, @samuelwest! Good for you, shooting in manual mode! Birdwatching is such a creative idea, too!

]]> 9bf0224a832f9dee19638654ab487f0d Lydia Bennett replied to the topic FEATURED: Many Different Photos in the forum Shoot to Serve Assignments https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/details-many-photos/page/2/#post-67894 Fri, 31 Dec 2021 15:11:35 -0500 Good job going out and shooting specifically for the assignment, @samuelwest! The colorful skies in two of those pictures are magnificent.

]]> 458f9a9f91d27f6ba14b929443e51d75 Logan Lamar replied to the topic Editing programs for MacBook 2011 or Mac Air 2013 in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/editing-programs-for-macbook-2011-or-mac-air-2013/#post-67633 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 02:44:10 -0500 @samuelwest @buddingphotographer
Looks like I’m late to the party!

I use On1 Photo RAW for my editing program. It’s very similar to Lightroom and has a lot of similar features (just better 🙂 to take my shameless stab at Adobe). No subscription required, but they re-release the software every year with new features. It appears the earliest OS the…Read more

]]> ec15bcfdbcf30fe29053deaab2d989cc James Staddon replied to the topic Editing programs for MacBook 2011 or Mac Air 2013 in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/editing-programs-for-macbook-2011-or-mac-air-2013/#post-67031 Wed, 08 Dec 2021 02:12:49 -0500 That is so great to hear @samuelwest!

]]> e999a4d66f5bbb61771edb288c3c2cdf Ezra Morley replied to the topic Editing programs for MacBook 2011 or Mac Air 2013 in the forum Photography Q&A https://www.lenspiration.com/forums/topic/editing-programs-for-macbook-2011-or-mac-air-2013/#post-66727 Mon, 29 Nov 2021 23:25:54 -0500 Welcome to the forums, @samuelwest! Does your Macbook come with the “Photos” app? That might be the first thing to try. For other ideas, check out this post on the forums about editing software for Macs and this one about editing artwork.
Other editing software that is often recommended here on the forums includes:

  • GIMP (free, but clunky to…

Read more

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