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How-to

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  • How-To: Landscapes

    How to spin a pricey filter into pure gold.
    • By Donald Higgs on December 16, 2008

    A typical polarizing filter reduces reflections and glare on windows, water, and other reflective surfaces. A polarizer also enhances the color of the sky and clouds. For nature photographers, this is a boon for shooting midday foliage, waterfalls, and streams.
    But filter maker Singh-Ray goes the typical polarizing filter one better with its Gold-N-Blue Polarizer. This piece of high-end glass-priced from $190 to $220, based on size (direct, www.singh-ray.com)--renders those reflections as gold, or blue, or any combination of the two.

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  • Born to Run: The Unseen Photos

    A conversation with Eric Meola about his shoot for Bruce Springsteen's seminal Born to Run album.
    • By Monica R. Cipnic on December 16, 2008

    I was sitting in the front room of Max's Kansas City late one July day in 1973, reviewing a photo shoot that just had wrapped, when I was introduced to Eric Meola. A few minutes later, I happened to notice a somewhat familiar figure walk by the table and head into the back room; it was Bruce Springsteen. Eric excused himself and also went into the back room, because as it turned out that night Bob Marley and The Wailers, in their first New York City appearance, was the opening act for Bruce Springsteen in what would be a legendary six-night stand.

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  • Take Control of Your Minilab

    10 steps to getting the job done right--the first time!
    • By Michael J. Mcnamara on December 16, 2008

    Tired of getting digital prints from your local minilab or online processor that have unusual color casts, strange skin tones, off-kilter crops, or too much contrast? Sure, you could try to do a better job on your own photo-quality inkjet printer, but it's hard to resist the incredible bargains and convenience most digital minilabs and online photo processors offer-especially for big enlargements or piles of 4x6s. So before you curse the lab for messing up your photos, why not secretly take control of their $200,000 superprinters and show them how to do it right the first time?

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  • Learning from the Best

    Three great photography teachers share their wisdom.
    • By Jay Mallin on December 16, 2008

    For young photographer Ralph Clevenger it was one of those mountaintop moments-literally. As a shooter breaking into stock photography, he'd gone with his mentor, photographer Craig Aurness, to a high point above the Santa Ynez Valley to get an aerial perspective.
    As Clevenger surveyed the scene below him, Aurness asked him, "What's the money shot?"-the image that would make the whole trek worthwhile.
    Clevenger looked around. He had to admit he had no idea.
    "Turn around," his teacher suggested.

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  • 'My America,' by Christopher Morris

    Time magazine photojournalist explores the politics of patriotism.
    • By Miki Johnson on December 16, 2008

    For 15 years photojournalist Christopher Morris was known for being where the action was -- the 42-year-old has covered more than 18 foreign conflicts including the U.S. invasion of Panama, bloody battles in Chechnya, and both Iraq wars.
    But since 2000, Morris has been Time magazine's man on the ground in President Bush's inner circle. His upcoming book and exhibition at New York's Hasted-Hunt Gallery, both named My America, comprise images he took while on assignment for the magazine, although all but one went unpublished.

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  • Snap Judgments

    How-to tips for photographers with short attention spans.
    • By John Owens on December 16, 2008

    When taking a picture, there are 100 things to consider: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, lens flare, and on and on, right down to that guy waaaaay in the back of the frame who is making an obscene gesture. Trouble is, if you think about all of these elements, chances are that before you press the shutter, the moment-if not the hour-will have passed.

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  • How I Shot This: Pool Boy

    Color or black-and-white? Let the scene decide.
    • By Debbie Grossman on December 16, 2008

    Leasha Overturf, 39, got started as a photographer in high school, when she borrowed a camera from a student who had it on loan for a class. The ticked-off teacher forgave Overturf when he saw her potential. After earning a BA at Southern Illinois University, she moved to Chicago and worked for several photographers, including, for the past 15 years, Paul Elledge. Now she's not only his production assistant, she's also his co-teacher.
    Q. What are we looking at in this photo?

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  • Your Best Shot - September 2006

    Winning photos from our readers.
    • By Pop Photo Staff on December 16, 2008

    1st Place: Art Glass

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  • Digital Toolbox: How to Sharpen

    How to use Photoshop CS2's Smart Sharpen to kiss blur goodbye.
    • By Debbie Grossman on December 16, 2008

    Sharpening is one of the most misused functions of Adobe Photoshop. Sharpen too little and your picture's fuzzy; sharpen too much and your photo will look "digital" in the worst way. But Photoshop CS2's new Smart Sharpen tool can help you avoid these missteps and get great, crisp photos every time.
    A "Sharp" Image
    Even your most perfectly focused photos probably have a little blur in them. Whether that's due to your lens or image processing, a little sharpening can add a lot of pop. You may be surprised what a difference it can make.

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  • Back to the Future

    Luigi Colani's early-1980s camera designs for Canon were years ahead of their time.
    • By Russell Hart on December 16, 2008

    People of a certain age grew up expecting that as adults they would drive antigravity cars and live in geodesic domes. Those people now find themselves wondering what happened to that space-age future. As fast as technology moves -- and anyone who follows digital photography knows how fast it does -- it rarely keeps up with the visionary notions of science fiction and techno-pundits.

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