Bernskiold Media

Weekend Website Tip: Photoshop Insider

It is almost that Photoshop Insider don’t need a whole lot of introduction! It’s the blog of NAPP President and award-winning author, Scott Kelby. On the blog, Scott shares his thoughts and posts news and randomly cool things several times per week. It is all coming from Scott’s interests in Photography and Photoshop so you will be seeing posts about shooting a sports game (accompanied by several great photos) one day and a post about Photoshop the next mixed with a bit of industry news the following after that!

So take a moment now and check out Scott’s blog, the Photoshop Insider. It’s a great one and if you leave comments, you will know that Scott reads every one of them and very often sends a mail back with an answer!

Digital Photography Book Volume 2

The Digital Photography Book Volume 2 by Scott Kelby is what you could consider a sequel of the first volume. Despite what you could think, this book is not a rewrite of the first volume at all, rather a new book filled with lots of good stuff about totally new subjects.

The entire book is divided pretty much into the same format as the last with one technique per page. This design is pretty brilliant when it comes to looking up a technique later on. The book is really easy to carry with you and be able to open and look in if there is anything you need help with, so to speak.

Scott has really taken on the successes of the first book (awarded tech book of the year) and made a new volume with very good subjects and techniques in it. For anyone that is in the journey of learning photography, or want to broaden your focus, this book is a goldmine.
Many kudos to Scott for writing such a great book! I highly recommend it!
 

How to: Shoot Fireworks

For all in the USA, July 4 is coming up tomorrow and there’ll likely be a lot of fireworks displays. I posted this little how-to right before new years this year and reposting it again for all of you going out tomorrow to take some shots. Good luck and have a safe and fun evening!

How To?
First off dial in Manual mode and set the aperture to f/11 or f/13 or something in the likes then set the shutter speed to Bulb, usually indicated by a B. Now when the firework explode, press the shutter and then when the burst has exploded and is wearing off, you let go of it and you should have a working picture of a firework. If you wish to capture many in one frame, just keep it pressed and make sure the frame is pitch black until the next firework goes up. Adjust the aperture as fits between the shots.

Equipment?
It’s best to have a camera that you have full manual mode on but special firework modes can work, although best result is given with a full manual mode. It’s really necessary to have a tripod because you’ll be working with second long exposures that you simply can’t hand-hold. Also learning from own mistakes, never extend the center column on the tripod, even if it feels like you need to, I did it last year only with a good sacrifice in quality in the images. It also helps if you have a remote release to minimize camera shake further as well. I think also a lens in the zoom range of 18-55 or similar works really well because it allows you to get close enough in the sky (if you are close) and also to get some foreground in there as well if you want to, without changing lenses, changing lenses is a no-no!

Position and Preparations
Get to the fireworks display in time and make sure that you know where they are going to be shooting from and set up in a good place where you can see the display and if you want also include some foreground such as the water or something alike. Also make sure you have clean memory cards that are formatted and that they work, also make sure to have your batteries charged and working! Don’t forget to take something warm to wear if it is cold outside either, and good gloves! I hope this little article can benefit you and it is really fun to photograph fireworks!