I was at a bowling alley the other night, when I spotted this very cool ceiling.
A perfect example of repetition.
I quickly got my iPhone out and captured this great pattern.
Patterns exist everywhere, it’s just a matter of looking and expecting it to be there.
Keep your eyes open and be inspired!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

I shot a beautiful backyard wedding this weekend.
I was in a position near the front when they had communion.
I was kind of trapped there for a bit as the ceremony continued, so I looked for a different type of moment.
That’s when I saw this moment.
I love that it seems that they are all alone on the most special day of their life.
I always want to capture moments like these that are completely unique to each bride and groom.
Placing the bride and groom at the extreme lower right of the canvas gives this moment and almost magical composition that isolates just the look on the brides’ face.
Be inspired!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

Some provacative images from 2011.
Take a look and be inspired!
Oh Click anywhere on the type!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

Saw this on the internet the other day and it stopped me cold.
The thing that inspires me so much about this image is the different way the photographer continued to look at this in a new way.
Turning it on it’s side, just makes this a completely different image.
Love it.
Be inspired!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

Making effective landscapes is just as hard as making a beautiful portrait.
I was able to capture this image during a recent wedding.
What was amazing was in the middle of the summer, at the end of the day, there were hardly anyone on the beach.
I was able to make a landscape/portrait that made this couple feel and look as if they were practically the only people on the beach.
I placed the horizon very low in the frame to emphasize the sky.
I also used my 15mm which captured just about 180 degrees, the sun is almost in the frame, opposite of the bride and groom.
Great things can happen if you look hard enough and prepare.
I found the perfect moment, in between masses of people on both sides, just out of view.
Be inspired!
Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that matter.
For example, just a slight gesture turned this main image into a keeper for me, by a small detail.
Just the introduction of the subject’s hand grabbing her toe, made this an interesting image that is worth keeping, rather than throwing it on the trash heap.
It’s the tiny in congruencies that make things interesting.
WIthout that slight gesture, it’s just a photo of a pair of boots.
With it, it becomes a story telling element, that makes the viewer wonder what is going on and will make them stick around longer, too!
What makes for a good gesture?
That is the $64,000.00 question.
It’s like capturing lighting in a bottle, no one knows how, they just know when it happens, it’s great!
So, experiment.
Try different things and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
This is a process that allows for missteps, and rewards those that take chances.
Be free and be inspired!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!

Nothing to crazy today, just an image that I snapped during class the other day.
I like the shadow of the window and how it directs the viewer to the ominous shadow.
One of my intermediate students, very scary.
Be watchful and be inspired!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

I want to share about event shooting and seeing good light vs. bad light.
Opening Day ceremonies at a local little league, and it’s hot.
The kids are sweating and waiting for the festivities to start.
Side light coming from camera right in the first image. Not really great light and very harsh on everyone.
That’s when I try what I tell all of my students, walk around and see what it looks like.
You never know.
I was rewarded with a couple of groups of kids that were backlit.
Back lighting can be beautiful light, if handled correctly.
Normally, strong back light can create silhouettes, but if you add more exposure, the light becomes soft and even on the subject’s side that is opposite the light.
For example:

See how even the light is on the faces of the two ball players?
There are no harsh shadows, only sweet open shade.
Did I say open shade?
Yes!
See their bodies create a shadow from the strong back light, and voila, open shade.
See how that works?
Let’s take another look.

Not a situation, considering the harsh side light, but look at the shadows on the players face.
It can be very distracting.
That’s why I looked around for some back light action.
I spied the pitcher.
Normally, silhouette city.
But add an extra stop to a stop and a half of exposure and it becomes a very nice image with soft even light on the subject.

Sweet and even light on his face and jersey.
The back light makes for a very dramatic background for the baseball as it is released from the pitcher’s hand.
Next time you try and photograph an event in bright sunshine, look for the back light and compensate your exposure, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Be inspired!
Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

One more look at the Little League Opening Day ceremonies.
I call this one, “The Boys of Summer.”
All the little boys want to be like the big boys.
Big boys scratch, the little boys scratch and so on and so on.
My job is to show that.
Sometimes, no make that, most of the time, it just doesn’t work out like we think it should.
So, I always try to remind myself to be open and keep looking past the ordinary or expected to the beautiful little surprises that await us.
If we are only patient enough to wait and watch.
I was envisioning a row of T-ballers standing in a row waiting for the first pitch.
What I got was this cute line of boys walking up to high five the board.
The smell of fresh cut grass and the newly raked clay of the infield hangs in the air.
I was happy that this group hadn’t received their hats, so I could see their faces.
I was also looking for a nice detail shot that would give a bit more information, yet would also give a different perspective.

This group of balls was perfect.
Just waiting by the pitcher’s mound, looking for someone to record them.
Pre-visualize what you are looking for, but don’t forget to be flexible and to keep your eyes open.
Be inspired!
Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

How to choose which scene to focus on at an event is what I’d like to talk about in today’s post.
Events are great places to make images, but it can be overwhelming to say the least.
For example, Opening Day for a little league program.
About 500 kids, their parents and siblings and you have a recipe for sensor overload.
I start with the overall or establishing shot and work my way down, till I have the moment that I’m looking for distilled from large to a more manageable size.
Here’s the overall:

You can see how crazy the event was, with lots and lots of kids.
I was watching the ceremonies and noticed that each kid was being “high-fived” by the board.
That was my moment that I need to stalk.
So, I set up near the adults, but faced the kids and waited for just the right expression.
It wasn’t too long before I was rewarded.
A 8 year old was high-fiving adults with a lot of gusto and when he got in front of me, he let loose with a hard slap and a huge grin.
I had captured my moment of the event.
Hunting for great images at events doesn’t have to be intimidating or hard.
It takes thought and patience and experience to put yourself in the right place as many times as possible.
Be inspired!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS