Nov 10, 2008
No, I’m not talking about the way your significant other looks at you when have an opposing view on football or music. I’m talking about that wicked glare that is often produced when you take indoor photos with a flash. So here’s a Monday photo tip — and your assignment is to try it out before next Monday and let me know your results.
When I post photos here, often times I use layers that enhance the image or simply make it have a different ‘look and feel’ than the way it was originally shot. Not the case this time. The photos you’re about to see in this post have not been retouched in any way.
This photo was taken with a digital camera and flash (and the most well-behaved subject) — just a normal shot with the camera’s flash bar. It’s pretty easy to see how the harsh light ‘washes out’ detail.
This next photo was taken at the same angle, but with a diffuser for the flash bar. The colors are rich, the detail is back and the softness simply makes for a better photo.
Now before you rush out to buy a flash diffuser, or start your big Google search on where you can order one, let me share a secret. You can use about anything and get the same effect!
Yup, the photo on the left is the diffuser that I used — nothing more than the lid from a pack of staples. I’ve been known to use a gum wrapper or even a piece of toilet paper to diffuse flash glare — so no excuses! Give it a try…
Nov 9, 2008
Chilly day in the burg — you know, one of those dreary days where the sun never fully shows itself, and there’s a breeze blowing continually. Even Libby didn’t want to venture outside…
Nov 8, 2008
The angle in which you take a photo makes the difference — but when you incorporate lines, your images get even more interesting. The simple shot below was one that Perry took yesterday for a project that I’m working on:
Let’s face it — there’s really nothing fabulous about the surroundings in his quick shot –but the line of sight used makes you feel like you’re standing right there.
And, here’s a quick snapshot of where I am insofar as the project I’m working on…
Nov 7, 2008
Everything has a warning label — well, almost everything. I know that I’ve seen some pretty crazy product warnings and I’ll bet you can think of some too. Like on Windex, the product label says not to spray in your eyes — or on a pack of dice I bought for Bunko the label warned, “not for human consumption.” Der!
But here’s something I find odd. I bought an oxford shirt at the Polo store; brought it home; and took it out of the bag. Before I could throw it in the washer, I removed no less than 10 straight pins.
Those lil’ suckers are dangerous! But not one label warned me about them. Nothing told me not to stick them in my eyes, feed them to my children or shoot them with a rubber band. Now I haven’t considering doing any of those things (although the rubber band thing sounds like fun), I’m surprised that straight pins can escape a warning. Odd, huh?
Nov 6, 2008
I’ve been speculating what kind of dog Barack & family will bring to the White House — and I’m not the only one. I read an article on CNN.com today about that very subject. The article also provides some pretty interesting tidbits about past presidents and their pets. For example — “Millie the springer spaniel’s canine view of life in the White House — as “told to” then-first lady Barbara Bush — became a best-seller that outsold the memoirs of President George H.W. Bush.” Now how cool is that? And I thought it was odd that I receive email from BLOG subscribers who want to see more photos of Libby!
I’m guessing with women outnumbering the men in this presidential family, a large dog is probably out of the question. And at the end of the day, unless Barack duplicates Bill Clinton’s dog choice, he won’t gain any popularity points with me anyhow.
Now before you rush out to buy a flash diffuser, or start your big Google search on where you can order one, let me share a secret. You can use about anything and get the same effect! 
