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Tricks of the trade

Dear PS,

I have noticed that you often use everyday items to improve lighting situations around the house.  Like, when you advised “Too Sunny for Me” to suspend a bedsheet over a railing to diffuse the light. Where did you learn that trick?

Got any more cheap tricks?
Glennie

Dear Glennie,

Often, everyday and common sense approaches can solve your photographic problems at minimal expense.  It seems that placing the word photo in front of an item is a reason to charge more by the manufacturer.

The bedsheet functioned as a “scrim”, a photo term for a manufactured product first used by cinematographers to diffuse harsh lighting. Professional scrims are priced for professional budgets and not a wise purchase for you.

Necessity is the mother of invention so use your imagination and check the “Photo Tip of the Day” on this website for other ideas and suggestions.

Thanks,
PS 

 

 
Tip of the Day

Good photographs begin with good light. In the digital photography world, the quality of light corresponds to the quality of the photograph. The dramatic light of the early morning and late afternoon can raise the quality of your images. In poorly lit situations use supplemental lighting from the camera's flash in the fill-flash mode.
more tips & tricks

Q & A

Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
Dear PS,
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
On the cheap in Oregon



Dear On the cheap,
Yes! If you plan to take creative steps in dealing with your images, photoshop and the lastest Creative Suite 2 are simply the best and most efficients image handling programs available. Is it "worth it" to you, that depends on what you hope to achieve with your images. I would suggest the Elements version of photoshop as an entry level position. Better yet, check a local computer store or even the Apple Store an invest a little time in attending a couple of their tutorial classes for a "test drive" of the program. Then you'll be better informed before you spend your money.

Thanks for your question,
Michael at PS






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Michael KeatingMichael E. Keating is an award winning portrait photographer...
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