Tutorials

Studio tips: tropical bird photography

Posted by Chris on Jan 3, 2013 in Photography, Tutorials | No Comments

Meet Walter, a ten-month old Senegal Parrot. This gregarious tropical bird is very much at home in front of the camera. Here are some tips for setting up and photographing pet birds in your studio. Turf – birds tend to be territorial and may not be so cooperative on their own turf when they are […]

Aquarium photography: hook great fish photos with five simple tips

Posted by Chris Wray on Mar 8, 2012 in Photography, Tutorials | 3 Comments

To quote one of my favorite early 20th century photographers, Henri Cartier-Bresson, “To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” I’m sure Monsieur Bresson didn’t have aquarium photography in mind when expressed […]

Look, ma’…no hands! Tack-sharp self-portraits without an assistant

Posted by Chris Wray on Jan 8, 2012 in Photography, Tutorials | 7 Comments

This self-portrait tutorial offers an alternative, do-it-yourself method when you don’t have an assistant to help you capture the shot. I’ve provided a list of the camera gear, plus step-by-step studio and camera setups. The gear DSLR camera sturdy tripod speedlight flash (1 or more) light stands – for flash and focus target wireless flash […]

Tabletop Tutorial #2: macro photography using focus stacking

Posted by Chris Wray on Oct 3, 2011 in Photography, Tutorials | One Comment

This week I’m resurrecting my Tabletop Tutorial series by featuring a macro photography technique known as focus stacking. Focus stacking is a digital image processing technique that combines multiple images taken at different focus distances. The composite image offers a tack-sharp subject from stem to stern. If you’re looking to achieve greater depth of field […]

Tabletop Tutorial #1: Glass photography

Posted by Chris Wray on Jan 17, 2011 in Photography, Tutorials | 3 Comments

Photographing glass objects in a studio setting can be tricky, but there are simple techniques that produce stunning results. Glass objects like faceted crystal, etched glass and bottles can be lighted from underneath to produce dramatic illumination. This effect can be accentuated by placing the objects on a dark background. A light tent and daylight […]