You know I have a thing for angels.
Mostly, they are in my garden or I photograph them and put them here on the blog.
Today was another angel.
This one is by some famous person who has racked up a few bucks selling these faceless creations.
Still, I like the way that the light is falling on the head and on the background.
Direct light but, it’s going through some blinds, so it’s a bit filtered.
I left a lot of negative space to balance off the sculpture and lastly I like how the light only strikes a portion of the angel.
Mystery and beauty.
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

This is a little trick that I usually try when I’ve covered an event from a lot of different angles and I want to spice things up a bit.
Most clients are wowed by this, since most don’t know how it’s done.
It’s really very simple:
1. Set your camera to Manual
2. Adjust your shutter speed to about 1/8 to 1/15 of a second.
3. Rotate your wrist before you start to press the shutter and continue to rotate as you press the shutter. It should be a smooth movement. It will take a lot of practice to make sure that you can do it.
4. Place your subject near the center of the circle, since that area will not move as much as the outsides.
5. Adjust the shutter speed slower and faster if your subjects show too much movement or not enough.
The slow shutter speed picks up any specular highlights as you twist your camera.
Give your photos a twist to liven them up.
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

Detail photos are so important.
They give so much more information to your viewer than a bunch of overall images.
This is a variation of the rings photo that most wedding photographers do.
But with a twist.
I noticed that each centerpiece had a Bryan + Celina heart with an arrow through it.
The date of their wedding was also etched into the wood.
Simply including their rings made this an information packed image.
See how an image like this creates variety from straight people shots?
Although everyone wants to see the bride and groom, detail images give the viewer a visual variance that can make the story telling more interesting and provocative.
Here’s another version:

The bride held a bouquet of sunflowers, so I decided to utilize the flowers in an image.
The information gleaned from this image is all about the rings.
What they look like and how many diamonds are on the bride’s ring etc.
To sum up this post, detail images not only fill in the blanks they add the information that makes any story interesting and more viewable.
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 a bit more about utilizing diagonals in your images.
To recap:
Diagonals are powerful.
They cause visual movement within your frame and take your viewers from one area to another.
Take a look at today’s image.
It’s just a shadow of a person walking towards a building in the morning light.
But, the placement of the shadow takes our viewers from the lower left area of the frame to the upper right area.
This little journey is visually compelling and thus creates an image that viewers want to look at.
The shadow of the person is framed by a wide shaft of light that is itself two diagonals.
Three for the price of one!
That’s a deal!
Look for these powerful compositional tools in your future compositions.
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 have photographed this building before, but tonight I it drew my attention due to the lovely silhouettes the setting sun was creating.
There’s a lot going on in this image:
1. Silhouettes
Classic case of the light falling on the palm trees being darker than the light falling on the background. Creating silhouettes!
2. The reflection of the sunset in the mirrored panels of the windows of the building. Another perspective.
3. Strong diagonals
The roofline of the building creates a very strong and dramatic diagonal which gives movement and power to this image. Diagonals are a photographers friend. Look for them and use them whenever possible.
4. The light is so smooth.
It seems to envelope each subject as it slowly slips beneath the horizon and gives way to the night. The last minutes of light are referred to as the golden light. This is why.

A very nice image from a church parking lot that I’ve been to hundreds of times and yet it never looks quite the same.
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. Her 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 have to admit that wandering around school before my classes has been a real inspiration for my photography lately.
I saw this scene which I must have passed a hundred times, but never stopped before.
I briefly thought about waiting for a person to enter, so I could talk about patience, but then I noticed the sheer beauty of the starkness of this image.
I love how the arches draw my eye deeper into the image.
A figure might have stopped that lovely visual experience.
Placing the end of the passageway in the upper left area completes the visual journey.
The lighting adds mystery and sculpts each archway to give more dimensionality to the image, too.
Another example of being aware of your surroundings as you walk through your day, even when you pass by familiar areas.
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. Her 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

Great way to start any morning is to look up and see a beautiful and colorful sunrise.
Here’s a few things to keep in mind.
1. Highlight the sky.
Remember, it’s the sky that you want to feature, so let the sky take up at least 2/3rds of the canvas, even more if possible.
In this example, just a tiny piece of the ground is even included.
2. Utilize the elements that you have.
I noticed electrical wires and a random telephone pole. I placed the wires in areas that created different zones and made diagonals which give movement to the image.
3. Enjoy the beauty.
Sometimes photos are just beautiful. Even in an urban setting, the glory of this sunrise can’t be contained.
Sit back and enjoy 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. Her 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

The past couple of days I’ve had a mission.
Help my daughter buy a car.
She has been very specific about her wants, it’s been a bit stressful.
Well, today we were headed to check out another car and I realize that our trip will be taking us by something that I’ve always wanted to photograph.
It’s a sign.
An old restaurant sign from my past.
It was heart-shaped and the words have been busted out for years, but the sign remains like a silent sentry.
The sky was showing signs of setting up for a beautiful and colorful sunset.
I decided that I was going to get to shoot one of my photo bucket list items.

Unfortunately, the best place to see the fiery sunset through the sign would have been standing in the middle of the freeway.
So, I decided to photograph a few different variations.
In each frame, I was able to feature this heart sign and the gorgeously gradated sky.
Another photo bucket list to scratch off.

Finally, the last image was as I was ducking back into my car.
If you look closely, you’ll see a plane in the upper right area of convergence.
It was a fitting image.
Moral of the story?
When you have a chance to shoot something, do it.
Don’t wait for tomorrow. Do it now.
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. Her 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 love the beginning of semesters.
There is such promise and hopes of new ideas and images to be created.
Today’s post deals with natural light portraits.
Most of the images that photographers make are related to people.
So I inform my students that learning to light their people photos is a priority.
The unfortunate students that forgot their cameras this morning were tapped to be our models.
It was interesting to see and show my students how different 4 models can be.
Two were really at ease, one was okay and one was super nervous.
With the right amount of coaching, each subject was made to look at ease and we were able to capture good photos of each subject.
The light utilized was all natural.
The main light source was the ambient light that was shining through the window.
The fill light in the room was coming from other windows that were further away, camera left and a fluorescent that was weak and overhead, but really wasn’t strong enough do affect the photo in any way.
In this image, we directed the subject to put her shoulders against the back wall, put one of her feet on the wall(which was actually too high) and to turn her head towards the window.
The result was a pleasing natural light portrait.
The trick is to identify your light sources.
The ambient light in this image isn’t strong enough to overpower the light coming through the window.
So the photographers’ job is to make sure the subject cheats their face towards the strongest light source.
Look for the light and you’ll be making better and stronger portraits in no time.
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. Her 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

This beautiful image was made with an iPhone 3Gs which currently sports a 3 megapixel camera.
I haven’t upgraded yet, but it’s images like this that make my soul smile.
It’s stark and almost conceptual because of it’s simplicity and the strong composition.
The blue of the sky is so intense and the brightness of the building screams off the page, all of which helps to make this another great negative space image.
I made this on the same day that I was lost in the construction zone at the school where I teach.
Maybe I should get lost more often?
Seriously, it points out that regardless of your circumstances, be on the lookout for images wherever you might find yourself.
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. Her 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