Archive for October, 2009

by Ruba Guest Blogger Connie Motz

Tip No. 102: Emphasize Height with Verticals

This is the second installment of our interview with photographer, David Huffman, who has graciously agreed to enlighten readers of Ruba with his photography expertise. Mr. Huffman worked for Kodak for over 20 years; he now travels, photographing the world as he goes, and in his spare time, he teaches photography on cruise ships. Let’s talk about Today’s Travel Photo Tip of the Week™, Emphasize Height with Verticals.

Ruba:  Thanks once again for sharing your inside secrets as a photographer.

Huffman:  You’re welcome, I’m glad to be of help.

Ruba:  Just out of curiosity, where’s the last destination you traveled to and why?

Huffman:  Most recently, a cruise in the Western Caribbean, stopping in Guatemala, Belize, Cozumel, among other ports.  I like to SCUBA, and those are some of the top spots in the world.

Ruba:  You knew this one was coming, where’s your next destination?

Huffman:  I’m planning another trip in the Mediterrean, probably in the spring…the weather is terrific then.

Ruba:  Tell us about your photo of the Acropolis.

Huffman:  Architectural photography has always been a favorite of mine.  In the pre-digital days, I used 4 by 5 view cameras to correct the perspective, to avoid converging vertical lines.  Now, of course, one can correct this with post image processing using several software programs.

Ruba:  What type of camera were you using?

Huffman:  The shot was using a digital single lens reflex with a full-frame sensor and my favorite travel lens, a 28 to 135 mm Image Stabilized zoom.  I love the range of this lens for travel, I can avoid making a lot of lens changes in dusty environments, and although it is a little heavy compared to a single focal length lens, it is lighter than carrying several lenses.

Ruba:  The columns are very statuesque and seem to reach upward almost endlessly.  Explain how ‘Emphasize Height with Verticals’ works.

Huffman:  Although most buildings are predominantly horizontal, the height of the buildings can be their most impressive feature.  To emphasize height, choose a vertical composition.  You don’t need to show the entire building in the photo, just focus on the portion that seems most interesting or attractive.

Ruba:  Tell us how you did that.

Huffman:  In this example the scaffolding was on three of the four sides, so I selected the view that would use the building to hide as much of the scaffolding as possible, and cropped the image vertically.

Ruba:  Generally, how can people take better photographs?

Huffman:  It starts with learning how to really “see” an image, by focusing on the most important element, then eliminating other distractions so this primary subject is dominant.  It takes practice and patience, and a certain amount of introspection.  I cover  some of the most helpful tips in my latest book.

In part three of our interview with David Huffman, photographer extraordinaire, we’ll cover how to Make Your Own Sunset.  In the meantime, if you have questions, you can contact David Huffman through his websiteor by email.  David Huffman’s books, Travel Photo Tips: Know Before You Go and Travel Photo Tips: Volume II, are available from Amazon.com.

For more about Ruba’s guest blogger, Connie Motz, please visit her website.

Picture and text © DWHuffman.  Visit www.HuffmanPhotoArt.com

By Ruba Guest Blogger Connie Motz

Tip No. 101: Eliminate the Crowds

Ruba would like to introduce you to photographer David Huffman who has graciously agreed to enlighten readers of Ruba with his photography expertise.  For five weeks, Ruba will feature Today’s Travel Photo Tip of the Week™ along with an interview with the man himself, David Huffman.

Ruba: Thanks for agreeing to give our readers your inside secrets as a photographer.
Huffman: You’re welcome, I’m glad to be of help.

Ruba: Tell us about your background and how you got involved with photography.

Huffman: I actually started in High School, then worked in studios and freelance to put myself through college. Kodak hired me in college and I had a great career with them for over 20 years. Now I photograph travel and teach on cruise ships.

Ruba: How many days of the year do you travel?

Huffman: From around 40 to much, much more.

Ruba: Tell us about this photo, where was it taken?

Huffman: This was taken in Athens. It is a very busy place, crowds all around, and difficult to get a “free shot’ of a subject.

Ruba: What type of camera were you using?

Huffman: This is a digital single lens reflex, with a 28-135mm image stabilized zoom lens. The camera body is full-frame to permit the full use of the lens focal length.

Ruba: People wait very impatiently for everyone to move out of their way before they take that perfect shot. Explain how ‘eliminating the crowds’ works.

Huffman: When you find yourself one of a thousand in the crowd at a busy and popular tourist site, adopt a different perspective and zoom in to crop the photo “in camera.”

Ruba: Tell us how you did that.

Huffman: In this example, the crowds were gathered around all sides of the building, so I walked up a small hill past the building where I was higher than the heads of the tourists. Then, by zooming out to 125mm, I was able to eliminate all the people. This example also draws your attention to the carved pillars, which are the most distinctive feature.

In part two of our interview with David Huffman, photographer extraordinaire, we’ll cover how to Emphasize Height with Verticals. In the meantime, if you have questions, you can contact David Huffman through his website or by email. David Huffman’s books, Travel Photo Tips: Know Before You Go and Travel Photo Tips: Volume II, are available from Amazon.com.
Picture and text © DWHuffman. Visit www.HuffmanPhotoArt.com

For more on our guest blogger, Connie Motz, visit her website, Travel Writer.