THE WINTER LANDSCAPE

Well, here in the Midwest we've had more snow this season than we've had in the past several years combined!  I love it!  As I talked about in a previous blog posting any chance I can get out to shoot "the white stuff",  I'm on it.  Took advantage of a pristine morning recently and explored Cuivre River Sate Park.  We had a major snow during the night so the landscape was pristine that morning.  Oh, and it was cold!  Advantage?  Yep!  No one else was there.  My footprints were the first, and whenever that happens I know I'm in for a great experience!        

Frenchman's Bluff

Overlook - Cuivre River State Park

Starting with this post I'm going to integrate a "Tip of the Week" that ties in to the post.  Nothing fancy, not rocket science-just thoughts and techniques that I've discovered in over 27 years of shooting.  I have to admit-most of the tips I'll be sharing come from my learning them the hard way. So if I can save you a few headaches along the way-terrific!

Cedar and Snow

Cedar Tree

REAL WORLD SHOOTING TIPS - WINTER LANDSCAPE & SNOW SCENES

• Invest in a good pair of boots-waterproof, insulated, comfortable to hike in.
• Sunglasses, Hat & Gloves-I like wool, but there are many options.  Mittens that have flip backs are great for keeping your hands warm when not shooting but allowing full finger control when you are.
• Lens Pen with brush-If snow gets on your lens or camera it's best to lightly brush it away.  Never breathe or blow on your lens!
• Extra batteries-bring several as the cold saps the power quickly.  Keep the extras close to your body to keep them warm.
• You'll be shooting some high contrast scenes.  In order to ensure holding details in the highlights and shadows shoot bracketed exposures from a tripod so you can blend them in post production if necessary.
• I like to travel light on these excursions as I usually cover a lot of ground.  A small waist pack with an extra lens, polarizing filter, lens pen, flashlight, map of the area, etc. pretty much round it out.
• Get out there early!  Like all landscape photography, the magic light is as the day breaks and as the sun sets!

So get out in the great outdoors and experience this beautiful season with your camera!               

Happy Shooting!      Michael

 

HDR PHOTO WORKSHOP AT THE FOX THEATRE

Wow!  What a fun day last Saturday!  I had the opportunity to lead a small group of talented photographers on a High Dynamic Range workshop at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. 

The history, architecture, and ambiance at this location is incredible!  Photo opportunities include everything from fisheye views to detailed close-ups - and they're everywhere you look!  I had to throttle back my excitement a bit and just take it all in!  Slow down - select a subject, compose and shoot.  Walk, explore, shoot!  Beats cleaning the house on a Saturday!


I think everybody really enjoyed themselves,  and the photos I saw during the review and post production later that day were fantastic! 


HDR is the most fascinating technique I've come across in a long time!  A different, fun way of making images.  Check it out - you'll be hooked!

I'll be leading several more HDR workshops at the Fox during 2011 as well as some other pretty cool locations!  Stay tuned!

Happy shooting!  Michael

WINTER WILDLIFE

Bald Eagle fishing on Mississippi River

Elk in Snowstorm

OK, so the temperatures are dropping, the snows falling, and you're where?  Sitting by a warm fireplace drinking cocoa in your comfys?  What?

Alright, you've heard it many time before but here goes.....the worst weather makes for the best photographs.  It's true.  You know it!  Here's the deal.  If we give ourselves half a chance, we'll talk ourselves out of strapping on the snow boots, grabbing our camera gear, and hitting the great outdoors.

The key - don't give yourself time to think about the reasons why not to go out - just pry yourself off of the couch, bundle up, and get out there!  I promise you -  you'll be glad you did!  I've never been disappointed after a photo excursion on a winters day.  But all to often in the past I've regretted not motivating myself to get out and make photos in some of the best conditions (photographically at least) we could ever hope for.

This past week I did just that - pryed myself away from the warmth of the fire and went out shooting!  Photographed some eagles on the Mississippi in Clarksville and some Bison and Elk at Lone Elk Park.
Had a lot of fun watching and photographing all of these amazing animals as well as met some other very friendly photographers who also "braved" the elements!

So the next time the mercury plummets and the snow flies, forget about that fireplace, grab your camera, and get out there!  You'll get the feeling back in your toes and fingertips later that day and have some great photos for your efforts!

Happy Shooting!     Michael

American Bison

PERSONAL PROJECTS IN THE NEW YEAR

Middletown

 
Hello,  and Happy New Year to everyone!  Well, we had our holiday break and if you're like me you probably had a great time with family and friends,  ate too much,  and well, were a bit lazy.  That's OK - we all need a break by the time the holiday season rolls around.  But as soon the New Year gets here I get itchy and ready to hit the ground running - new ideas and techniques to try, personal projects to get started, etc!

Like most photographers,  I have accumulated a long list of "personal projects" that have special meaning to me that I would like to work on through the years.  The reality is that most of these either never get started or fizzle out quickly due to paying work and other commitments for our time.   This is going to be the year!  Wait - I said that last year also!  Really though, this time I'm going to stay in the game! 

Off and on,  (mostly off),  over the past two years I have shot photos of abandoned structures I've stumbled upon.  Always found myself attracted to and intrigued by these vacant buildings.  Full of mystery and intrigue.  Who lived there?  Why did they leave?  I love history,  and I guess these vacant buildings pique my interest in the past.

I'll be traveling across the state of Missouri this year,  searching for these gems to photograph.  Ultimately, my desire is to publish a book featuring a collection of these photos.  But for now, one thing at a time - Get out, explore, and make photographs!

I encourage you to do the same - connect with some subject or place that has special meaning to you in the coming year.  Start your own personal project - make photographs - for the love of photography and to grow as a photographer!

Happy New Year!           Michael

Miller's Store

Ready or Not! It's Christmas!

Is it just me or does each year seem to go by faster and faster?!  Especially when we get to the holiday season.  Maybe it's just because we're all so involved in so many things these days.  Knowing that I can't slow the clock down,  l realize time is precious - it's important to make sure we're balancing our lives - work, personal time, family and friends.  Sometimes that isn't easy to do,  but it's critical to our happiness.  As they say, take time to smell the roses!

Anyone who is self employed knows the trap of becoming married to your business and letting other aspects of our life fall by the wayside.  For me this time of year,  as I imagine for a lot of you,  is a time to reflect.  Where we are, personally and professionally.  Readjust some things, plan for the coming year, find and pursue your passions!

Even as chaotic as it can be,  I truly love this time of year.  I realize how incredibly blessed I have been in my life and how exciting the future is.  So many people have helped me grow as a person and as a photographer.   In the coming year,  appreciate and enjoy your family, friends, photography excursions,  and all of the incredible experiences on this planet!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Michael

LIGHTING WORKSHOP

I taught my lighting workshop last weekend in St. Charles - always a great time when I get together with fellow photo buffs!  I love to exchange ideas and try new techniques!  As in all of my workshops, I try to start with a basic foundation of knowledge and principles and then encourage departing from these as the creative process begins. 

The fun really begins though when we start setting lights and shooting photos!  For myself,  shooting film for as many years as I did - and I loved film, the advent of digital cameras have made the learning process so incredibly fun and fast, almost begging us to keep trying different angles, exposures, light placement,  etc.,  For me it's been the single most incredible advance in photography I have experienced!

Really, can you imagine not being able to preview the shot you just made on the camera's LCD?  or waiting 30 to 90 seconds for a polaroid to develop?  Let alone the transporting of and processing costs?
Digital is a beautiful thing!

Lighting a portrait - Photo by Heather Hanna - Workshop Participant

Photo by Heather Hanna - Workshop Participant

Product Lighting - Michael Schlueter

Lighting for Texture - Michael Schlueter

Well, here are some shots from the workshop - we played with light and I believe came away with some nice images!   Enjoy and Happy shooting!   Michael

Photo Workshop - Portraits on Location

Workshop participant Ted Hodges working with model

Challenges and opportunities-that's what you get when you start creating portraits on location!  It's a chance to get out of your comfort zone - like a predictable studio environment - and create something unique and exciting.

Last Saturday, after some hot coffee and delicious bagels,  I had the pleasure of teaching a workshop that focused on this very subject.  As always, whether I'm attending or teaching a workshop these forums offer all of us an incredible way to learn and expand our photo skills.

Lynn models - Photo by Ted Hodges

We were shooting in the historic St. Charles area where I've shot many times in the past and as usual every time we return to a location we always find new angles and opportunities with each new visit.  I always find it fascinating as to all the different approaches and specific ways participants shoot an area and subject in a workshop.  We all really do have unique vision during the creative process!

Ted captures the look & moment

Different Look & Angle - Photo by Ted Hodges

Creating a "studio look" on location - Photo by Ted Hodges

Toni projects a contemporary look - Photo by Ted Hodges

 
Here are some shots from the workshop - we covered a lot of details ... backgrounds, lighting, props, rapport with your subject, and much more!  A big thanks to our models - Lynn and Toni!  They were great to work with!  Hope to see you at the next workshop!

Happy Shooting!   Michael