Best of 2012

Each year I look back on my images and pick a few of my favorite ones.  This year I have 42 photos to show so lets get right to the images.

Great Christmas Gift for a Photographer

iPad Version


 Hey folks, quick reminder, I recently released my book "Understanding the Basics of Exposure". This is a great gift for someone you know just getting into photography or wants to improve their photos. Consider my book as a virtual stocking stuffer for Christmas, too! It makes a great companion to any photographer's gift! The guidance works for most any camera, because Understanding the Basics of Exposure reinforces the skills of the photographer.

The book is available for the iPad and as standard PDF. It is 33 pages long and chock full of valuable information and beautiful photographs all for $2.99! Get yours today!

 

PDF Version



iPad Version:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/understanding-basics-exposure/id570851846?mt=11#

PDF Version:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/jason-eldridge/understanding-the-basics-of-exposure/ebook/product-20453300.html

Make sure to check back on the blog regularly! It is filled with valuable information that you can put to use and it’s free!!

www.eldridgestudios.blogspot.com

Just click the black void below to start the promotion video!

Photography Gift Guide

Christmas is upon us but there is still time. Do you have a photographer on your list? Ever wanted to know what to get them? Here is a quick list of cool photography related items you can pick up for your favorite photographer. The very first item on the list is the most inexpensive. It is an e-book that I wrote detailing the basics of photography. Even if you are an old salt at this the book can help reinforce the foundations of photography.

Learning Photography

Understanding the Basics of Exposure by Jason Eldridge (that’s me!) e-book only $2.99

http://www.eldridgestudios.blogspot.com/2012/10/exciting-news.html

Exposed Workshop by Gavin Seim
http://exposedworkshop.com/

Post Processing
Lightroom 4
http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65164937-Photoshop-Lightroom-4/dp/B007BG9VLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355078363&sr=8-1&keywords=lightroom+4


Nik Software
http://www.niksoftware.com/store/usa/entry.php?view=singlepurchase/usa_CC_ps_aa-family.shtml

Clothing

T-Shirts
http://www.cafepress.com/mf/16881588/oh-crop-dark_tshirt
http://www.cafepress.com/mf/59423833/camera-dialwhite2_tshirt

Accessories

Strap

http://www.blackrapid.com/products

Rogue Flash Bender

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/707213-REG/ExpoImaging_ROGUERELG_Rogue_FlashBender_Large_Positionable.html

Umbrella (Zumbrella)
http://store.ziser.com/zumbrella.aspx

Attachable Lens Cloth

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/507196-REG/Pearstone_LENLP1.html

Think Tank Retrospective 20(Bag)
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/search.aspx?find=Retrospective%c2%ae+20+(Pinestone)

Camera Cleaning
http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=9&=SID#MOREINFO

Be Deliberate

With the advent of the digital photographic age it seems that we as photographers are trying to speed everything up. While aspects of photography like post processing, workflow, and frames per second certainly have benefits for speed there is one aspect that doesn’t. I am talking about the time it takes to create or make an image. When photographing with slide film we generally took a bit more time because each frame cost money. Not only did it cost to buy the film in the first place but it cost more in most cases to have it developed, especially if you used a professional lab. To really improve we also had to take notes for given situations and try to match them up when we received our images back after a couple weeks. It was a painful process. However, in that process we became masters of our work. We took extra time to see the tonality of the image and to ensure that everything was perfect before we clicked the button. “Fix it in Photoshop” wasn’t an option. If we didn’t get it right we wasted money and the shot was lost.


I have been guilty of moving too fast and rushing through a session or an outing. It is very easy to get in the habit of taking several shots to get it all set rather than setting it all and taking a shot. It seems that we as photographers are often under pressure, actual or perceived, to give a client hundreds of images (or even thousands for weddings) rather than a handful of great images. By doing that I am not certain that we are providing the quality service that we could. Besides, if you take the time to get it right then you can move on to other scenes or compositions. Being deliberate with your photography also helps speed up your workflow and post processing because there is less editing involved.

Sure, at a wedding you may have to move a little faster and take a few more images but that was the case back in the film days too. A wedding day is full of things needing photographed and you are on a time table! Perhaps you are a child photographer and you have to take several shots to get the expression you want. That too is fine and if you have taken the time to get everything set then when that expression shows itself you can easily get the shot. Don’t spray and then pray you got the shot. Know that you got it and move on.

This blog post is as much for me as it is for you and here is my final advice. Slow down and be deliberate. I’ll bet your images improve right away if you take the time to make them.

Understanding Exposure!

Take a quick look at my quick Understanding the Basics of Exposure promo video.  It is about a minute long and shows off many of the photos from the book!













Just click the black void below to start the video!

Adobe Lightroom 4 Deal

Adobe Lightroom 4 is arguably one of the best programs for editing, sorting, and managing you photographic workflow.  It changed how I process images and I do 95% of all my editing within this one program.  Right now there is a special offer and you can get the full version for 109.99.  If this is something you have considered purchasing don't waste any time!  Perhaps you know a photographer that has been wanting to make the purchase but hasn't.  It would make a great Christmas gift.  Now is the time!

If you do make the purchase search my blog for Lightroom Tutorials.  I have several videos you can watch for free. 

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65164937-Photoshop-Lightroom-4/dp/B007BG9VLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353511408&sr=8-1&keywords=lightroom+4