It pays to take time to reflect on your work, and perhaps no time is better for that than the arrival of a new year. This fantastic video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer doing just that and offering loads of helpful tips and advice as well. 

Coming to you from Michael Shainblum, this awesome video tutorial walks viewers through various settings, techniques, and challenges he faced while creating some of his best shots of 2023. His first photograph, a spontaneous capture of Bridal Veil Falls with a rainbow at Yosemite National Park, exemplifies the magic of patience and timing in landscape photography. He emphasizes the value of waiting for the perfect moment, a lesson that’s crucial for photographers who often find themselves at the mercy of nature’s unpredictability. Another notable mention is a moodier scene captured under rainy conditions, demonstrating that great images can emerge even in less-than-ideal circumstances. Shainblum’s experiences reinforce the idea that landscape photography is not just about capturing beauty but also about embracing and adapting to the environment’s challenges.

Shainblum also explores the concept of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, highlighting a photograph with coastal textures that he likens to dragons. This shift in perspective and subject matter underlines the importance of creativity and experimentation. His journey through various landscapes, from the swamps of Texas and Louisiana to the streets of New York City, showcases the diversity and adaptability required in this field. Each image tells a unique story, not just of the landscape but of the photographer’s interaction with it. Check out the video above for the full rundown. 

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, “Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!”

Photography convention season is ramping up. For me, the next convention is Professional Photographers of America’s Imaging USA in Lexington, Kentucky on Jan. 28-30, 2024. I’ve attended a lot of conventions over the years and learned a thing or two about learning in this environment. To get the most out of your education dollar, here are seven ways to learn more and be more comfortable.

What to wear in a photography convention

Be comfortable in your clothing, but in my opinion you should still be professional. You never know whom you are going to meet and you never get a second chance to make a first impression. I recommend a business casual. And, really important, wear comfortable shoes! There’s a LOT of walking getting from class to class and on the trade show floor. The convention is in a completely covered complex under roof and climate controlled. I recommend having a sweater or fleece you can pop on or off to stay comfortable in rooms that might be a bit on the chill side. Layers are important.

Stay hydrated

I carry a refillable water bottle. Making it convenient I use an old 70-200mm lens case. to keep my hands free. Staying hydrated is not only important for your comfort it keeps you healthy as well. Not to mention saving money. A bottle of water can cost the Earth in convention hotel environments. Drinking enough water each day is critical. It helps to regulate body temperature, keeps your joints lubricated, helps prevent infections, delivers nutrients to your body and aids digestion. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, brain function and keeps your mood up.

Trade show

Make a list so you don’t miss out not the trade show floor. Folks who run photography conventions are supported by the vendors that attend. You can often get special deals and prices by spending your money with them. That makes it a win-win-win. You get a deal. the vendor gets a new client or makes a sale and the people who run the convention get a return trade show business the following year.

Do you have vendors with which you already work that are showing? Go meet them. Putting faces to names, and getting yours in front of them, can lead to extra service.

Make a list of new equipment and/or software you are interested in and visit with those vendors. See your listed vendors first. If there’s still time, wander and see what’s new.

If the trade show is all you are able to attend you still have plenty to see and learn. Get your free trade show pass here.

Get inspiration

At IUSA this year, the image competition has been ramped up. There will be live judging, and for the first time, cash prizes. Attend the judging events and visit the image display. Inspiration awaits there.

By the way, in my opinion, participating in an image Competition is one of the strongest and fastest ways to improve your photography. If you wait until you think you are ‘ready’ your improvement will be much slower. Use the inspiration to get you going.

Education programs

List the programs that you want to see and keep that a working list. Choose the ones that will help you with business, marketing, sales and, of course, photography and lighting skills.

Get to the programs early and introduce yourself to your neighbors and ask questions. I’ve learned as much doing this as I have in programs, which can double your take home info!

Don’t try to write down everything a speaker is saying. Make general notes on ‘take-aways’ that you wish to implement in your business. You will probably have 8-10 from each program. Don’t get bogged down into taking too many notes, as you’ll end up missing lots of info. This is extremely important! Learn about things you need to learn. Don’t try to learn it all on site. (See post-convention advice below)

Networking

Rubbing elbows with new people is a great way to learn more. If you travel with another photographer from your hometown, don’t hang with them because it’s more comfortable. Expand your network.

Meet up with other photographers for a coffee, adult beverage, lunch or dinners. I have learned tons over a beer at the bar. At the PPA convention if you see people with ribbons and metals around their neck think of that as permission to ask questions. These are people who have participated in the image competition and sharing their knowledge through teaching programs throughout their careers.

Post convention

Following the photography convention, set aside a day or at least a morning to review your ‘take-aways’ and prioritize them in order of importance.
Calendar in hand, schedule time each week (or each day) to work on the items on your list in order of importance. You should probably have about six months or more worth of things to learn, practice and implement. This will ensure that you actually use the info you learn rather than going back to the next convention saying, “Oh, that was a great idea! I meant to do that last year…”

Best of luck to you on your photography convention attendance. If you’ll be in Lexington for IUSA, look for me. If have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

Yours in Creative Photography, Bob

Csaba explains: ‘In the winter of 2023, I took a lot of photos in a forest close to my home in Hungary. I found something new to photograph almost every week, and I spent several days exploring ideas and perfecting techniques. Staying curious and open-minded led me to this hollowed out tree stump, which measured around half a metre in diameter. I carefully positioned my GoPro 11 camera inside the trunk and took a few shots. I was amazed by the results. After a few days, however, I decided the composition might be improved if I included an animal in the frame. So, I returned to the spot and placed a sunflower near the hole, which the mice and birds soon found.’

Csaba will be awarded a £2,500 (approx. US$3,100) cash prize, a Universal License for Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher apps, NiSi macro focusing rail NM-200S, NiSi macro 77mm close up lens and the Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) trophy. He also sees his work displayed to a global audience in the Top 100 online gallery at www.cupoty.com.

The fifth CUPOTY attracted almost 12,000 entries from 67 countries. A jury of 23 brilliant photographers, scientists, naturalists, journalists and picture editors spent over 20 hours collectively on Zoom calls to find the winners and Top 100 pictures.

Main Image :© Csaba Daróczi | cupoty.com. All copyright remains with the photographers.

A photographer has shared the story — and a magnificent photo — of his encounter with a huge alien-like ocean sunfish.

Mark Girardeau from Southern California posted the picture to his Instagram page which shows the scale of these massive creatures. Incredibly, the individual he met was only 400 lbs — small for an ocean sunfish.

“From the surface, you mostly just see the upper fin sticking above the water but once you jump in when the water is clear, it’s just the craziest experience!” Girardeau tells USA Today. “The water was still and the ocean was a deep-blue color that day so you could just swim right over to this massive fish and it was fine with it.”

Ocean sunfish are also known as Mola mola and it is fairly uncommon to see one because they roam in pelagic waters miles from the shore; most sightings occur from boats.

Mola molas live in temperate and tropical waters where they feed on jellyfish, small fish, and squid. The photo of Girardeau was taken last summer between Newport Beach and San Clemente Island in water over 3,000 feet deep.

“I don’t post many photos of myself so here it is the real me (on the left)!” Girardeau wrote on Instagram. “Thanks to [Delaney Trowbridge] and her underwater housing for capturing this moment in time.”

Delaney Trowbridge, who took the photo, is a talented photographer like Girardeau and tells USA Today that the encounter was a “dream come true… coming face to face with one of the strangest fish on Earth!”

“It wasn’t difficult at all to jump into 3,000 feet of open water to swim alongside this beautiful Mola mola,” she continues.

“Accompanying this gentle giant was a lone pilotfish, a very rare species for Southern California, more often encountered in tropical waters. I can’t blame the little guy for visiting us though, it sure felt like we were swimming in Hawaii!”

More of Girardeau’s work can be found on his Instagram and website.

Image credits: Courtesy of Mark Girardeau and Delaney Trowbridge.

Street photography captures the pulse of life, telling stories through candid moments and urban landscapes. It’s a genre that demands a keen eye for detail and a readiness to seize fleeting moments, making it a fantastic genre for any photographer whose work requires them to be quick and accurate.

Coming to you from 7th Era, this vibrant video takes viewers on a street photography adventure in Melbourne. The journey highlights the importance of being adaptable to changing conditions, such as weather, and utilizing them to enhance the mood and narrative of the photos. This is particularly relevant for photographers who often find themselves battling unpredictable elements. It’s a practical guide on how to use these challenges to one’s advantage, capturing unique and compelling images.

Throughout the video, Liam shares valuable insights into his creative process, including lens choice and camera settings. His approach to framing subjects, experimenting with different perspectives, and embracing the spontaneity of the streets offers a lot of valuable takeaways on capturing the energy and stories of city life. If you practice any genre that requires you to quickly read a scene and create an image, such as wedding photography, street photography can be an invaluable practice. Check out the video above for the full rundown.