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How-To

Valuable tips, tricks and techniques for every step of the photographic process.

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  • Composition: Diagonal Action

    Use diagonals to make your pictures come alive.
    • By Bryan F. Peterson on December 16, 2008

    Every line in a picture elicits an emotional response. A horizontal line generates calm, whereas a vertical feels stable and dignified. But a diagonal is nonstop action-a line on the move. And it can breathe life into an otherwise static composition.
    Any line can be turned into a diagonal if you shoot at an angle. Even more impressive, and often more interesting, are the many natural diagonals to be found-if you just take a look.

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  • Switching Sides

    CNN anchor Miles O'Brien describes his secret life on the other side of the lens.
    • By Lori Fredrickson on December 16, 2008

    We were surprised and flattered to hear CNN's anchor Miles O'Brien, of American Morning, tell us that Popular Photography & Imaging was his very first magazine subscription. Turns out that the broadcast journalist has also been shooting since the age of 14, and once even seriously considered photography as a career.
    Coming at it "strictly from a journalist's point of view," O'Brien now brings his equipment around with him at all times, catching behind-the-scenes footage of his work for CNN and capturing the story, as he puts it, "of getting the story."

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  • Mets Pitcher Brian Bannister Talks Photography

    New York Mets rookie hurler is an accomplished studio photographer and owner of Loft 19, a pro studio and rental space in Phoenix.
    • By Jay Defoore on December 16, 2008

    For Nolan Ryan it's raising cattle. For Mike Mussina it's crossword puzzles. But for 25-year-old New York Mets pitcher Brian Bannister, his passion away from the baseball diamond is photography.
    Since taking his first photography course at the University of Southern California, Bannister has developed into a talented fashion and portrait shooter. He even owns his own professional photography studio and rental service in Phoenix, Loft 19, run during the season by his dad, former major league pitcher Floyd Bannister.

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  • How-To: Shore Shots

    A goof-proof guide to capturing six classical coastal scenes.
    • By Ian Frazier on December 16, 2008

    From the mocking cries of seagulls to the tranquil repetition of waves lapping the land, the coast is beautiful on many levels. But capturing its many facets photographically can be a challenge. After years of photographing on the shore, I've learned a lot of lessons-many the hard way. Here are some of my favorite shots, along with tips to help you in similar situations.

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  • Where To Go and What To Shoot in July

    Big Bangs
    • By Teresa Ha on December 16, 2008

    Annual Gettysburg Civil War Re-enactment
    When: July 1-3.
    Where: Gettysburg, PA.
    What: Three days of battles and thousands of participants in Civil War-era garb kick off the photographic month with style.
    Tip: Though the action comes close, it's never close enough to really use that wide-angle effectively. Zoom in, and single out moments in the field. Gunfire makes for dramatic backdrops.
    For info: 717-338-1525; www.gettysburgreenactment.com.

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  • Tips and Tricks

    Great Ideas and advice from our readers
    • On December 16, 2008

    Stealth Camera Bag
    Tired of worrying about getting your expensive gear stolen? Try carrying it in a diaper bag. They're available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The baby bottle holders on the side are just right for a lens or a flash. There are lots of pockets. The inside is lined with plastic, so it's waterproof. Mine came with a little plastic case for carrying wipes that's great for lens cleaning cloths and memory cards. And nobody ever steals a diaper bag.
    Jim Coffey
    League City, TX

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  • When bad things happen to good cameras

    Busted!
    • By John Owens on December 16, 2008

    The plastic bins are piled high with cameras-hundreds of them. Point and shoots. SLRs. Digital. Film. A rubber band around each holds a neatly folded sheet of paper with the owner's name and address, as well as the reason the camera is here: "Doesn't focus." "Won't turn on." "Everything is blurred."

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  • Married to the Craft

    A photographer's journey into the secrets of his art.
    • By Peter Kolonia on December 16, 2008

    These pictures are the work of a famous wedding photographer, but they could easily be from a skilled pro shooting in any field: fine art, architecture, nature, or sports, for example.
    Because this story isn't about wedding photography. It's about how a photographer gets to the top of the game, and about the passion for keeping current in a medium where fads, tastes, and trends change almost daily.

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  • You Can Do It: How to Photograph Water Drops

    Who says drips are boring?
    • By Vitor Shalom on December 16, 2008

    Drip and splash photos have always fascinated me for their sculptural quality. For a really supercharged effect, I go for bright, highly saturated, and contrasting colors.

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  • Photoshop How-To: Landscapes 3 Ways

    Change the color to change the mood.
    • By Debbie Grossman on December 16, 2008

    Other than trying to get the color right, how much do you really think about your image's tone? A few simple moves in Curves in Adobe Photoshop can completely alter its feeling. Here are three quick ways to go bright and cheery, cool and creepy, or warm and cozy.
    SUPER SATURATED: MAKE IT POP
    1. Lab mode can be your friend. Switch to it by going to Image>Mode>Lab Color.
    2. Make a curves adjustment layer. Then use the pull-down menu to switch to the "a" channel.

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