For this weeks blog I looked online for some tips that adventure photographers use in winter setting. The first article I read was by Darren Rowse about photographing a skier in good light while not overexposing the background. To accomplish this, Rowse used a fill-flash with his camera while dropping the exposure from the automatic settings.
After reading this I went back to the main site and found another article about using flash in action photography. They had three tips that I'd like to try: slow sync flash, panning, and zooming during exposure. Slow sync flash is when you pair a flash with a slow shutter speed. Panning is moving the camera with your subject to give a blurred background, and zooming during exposure also blurs and conveys movement.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Exposure
Basically exposure is a measure of the amount of light let into the camera while taking a picture. The idea behind exposure is to control how a subject appears, which for artistic purposes may be lighter or darker than the average light of the scene. The term overexposure is used when all detail is washed out of light areas, and underexposure used when all detail is lost from dark areas. On an automatic exposure setting the camera matches the average tone of the scene and adjusts the exposure for you.
Sometimes, however, you want an image to be over or underexposed. Then you switch to manual controls and use the shutter speed and lens aperture to create the exposure you want. The shutter is a thin sheet covering the light sensitive portion of the camera. When it opens it allows light in, allowing the picture to be taken. Shutter speed is the measure of how long the shutter is open and is measured in fractions of a second so the lower the shutter speed the more light is let in. Slow speeds introduce blur, while fast ones reduce it, but may not let enough light in. Lens aperture is similar: it is the opening in the camera lens that regulates how much light is let in during the time the shutter is open. The measurement is called an f-stop, and the smaller the f number the larger the opening. Generally a low f-stop requires a high shutter speed.
On my camera, a Canon PowerShot SX110 IS, there is a manual mode that allows me to control both the lens aperture and shutter speed. Additionally there is an aperture priority mode and a shutter speed priority mode that allows me to control that aspect while automatically selecting the opposite element.
References here, here and here.
Sometimes, however, you want an image to be over or underexposed. Then you switch to manual controls and use the shutter speed and lens aperture to create the exposure you want. The shutter is a thin sheet covering the light sensitive portion of the camera. When it opens it allows light in, allowing the picture to be taken. Shutter speed is the measure of how long the shutter is open and is measured in fractions of a second so the lower the shutter speed the more light is let in. Slow speeds introduce blur, while fast ones reduce it, but may not let enough light in. Lens aperture is similar: it is the opening in the camera lens that regulates how much light is let in during the time the shutter is open. The measurement is called an f-stop, and the smaller the f number the larger the opening. Generally a low f-stop requires a high shutter speed.
On my camera, a Canon PowerShot SX110 IS, there is a manual mode that allows me to control both the lens aperture and shutter speed. Additionally there is an aperture priority mode and a shutter speed priority mode that allows me to control that aspect while automatically selecting the opposite element.
References here, here and here.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Skiing Weekend
Bridger Bowl and Red Lodge Mountain
Friday was $15 lift tickets at Bridger Bowl if you had 3 or more people in your vehicle, so the Outdoor Rec program got a van and took eight of us up for a day of skiing! Even though the light was pretty flat I decided it was time to start experimenting with my camera. I kept switching
back and forth between the landscape, portrait and snow settings. 
back and forth between the landscape, portrait and snow settings. 
The snow setting seemed to work best for the action shots, but the lighting on the mountain was always changing too. My next goal was to get some face shots, so I switched back to portrait and annoyed my friends by skiing around them with a camera. Hopefully it was worth it.
At the very end of the day I decided to get artistic and take pictures through my goggles because that's what you actually see when you're skiing. I'm still undecided about how they turned out, but it was fun!
The next day Outd
oor Rec went up to the ski team race at Red Lodge, and because it was much colder I didn't take very many pictures outside, but did take this one of Anne frantically trying to activate her hand warmers in Midway Lodge. We did venture back outside and had a great afternoon attempting to land jumps and generally enjoying the
snow!
oor Rec went up to the ski team race at Red Lodge, and because it was much colder I didn't take very many pictures outside, but did take this one of Anne frantically trying to activate her hand warmers in Midway Lodge. We did venture back outside and had a great afternoon attempting to land jumps and generally enjoying the
snow!
Trail Running in Billings
Riverfront Park and Meyer's Trail
Thursday turned out to be a day of running, right after class Hil and I headed to Riverfront Park to do some trail running/photography. To be honest, I was doing more running than photography, until we turned a corner to find what I thought was an otter! We stopped and started snapping pictures. The otter was eating a fish and we got to watch it for a few minutes before it dove into the river and disappeared under the ice. Later, I showed the pictures to my Environmental Science professor Kayhan who decided it was not an otter, but probably a mink because of how fluffy it appeared and the shape of the head. Either way, it was exciting!
Later at cross
country practice, Carrie and I headed up Meyer's trail to the top of the rims. This is one of my favorite runs, and since it was so warm we had the rare combination of running through the snow in shorts. We ran towards Zimmerman to an arch that we found exploring last year, and I got a silhouette of Carrie running across it. 
Later at cross
country practice, Carrie and I headed up Meyer's trail to the top of the rims. This is one of my favorite runs, and since it was so warm we had the rare combination of running through the snow in shorts. We ran towards Zimmerman to an arch that we found exploring last year, and I got a silhouette of Carrie running across it. 
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sample Release Forms
Adult Model Release Form
For good and valuable consideration herein acknowledged as received by signing this release I give the photographer Mary Louise Schvetz and assigns permission to license and publish photos of me in which I may be included in part or in whole in any media for any purpose. This includes, but is not limited to advertising, marketing, promotion and commercial uses. I agree to the use of these images in any way the photographer sees fit including being combined with text, other images and graphics and being cropped or otherwise modified. I agree that I have no rights to the images and that all right belong to the photographer and her assigns and that I will make no further claim to the images for any reason. I acknowledge that this release is binding upon my heirs and legal representatives. I agree that this release is irrevocable, universal, and perpetual and will be governed by the laws of the United States at the time of signing. I agree that I am at least 18 years of age and have the full legal capacity to execute this release.
Model Information
Name (print):
Adress:
For good and valuable consideration herein acknowledged as received by signing this release I give the photographer Mary Louise Schvetz and assigns permission to license and publish photos of me in which I may be included in part or in whole in any media for any purpose. This includes, but is not limited to advertising, marketing, promotion and commercial uses. I agree to the use of these images in any way the photographer sees fit including being combined with text, other images and graphics and being cropped or otherwise modified. I agree that I have no rights to the images and that all right belong to the photographer and her assigns and that I will make no further claim to the images for any reason. I acknowledge that this release is binding upon my heirs and legal representatives. I agree that this release is irrevocable, universal, and perpetual and will be governed by the laws of the United States at the time of signing. I agree that I am at least 18 years of age and have the full legal capacity to execute this release.
Model Information
Name (print):
Adress:
City:
State:
Postal/Zip Code:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Date of Birth:
Signature:
Date:
Property Release Form
For valuable consideration herein acknowledged as received, the undersigned being the legal owner of, or having right to permit the taking and use of photographs of certain property designated below grants the photographer Mary Louise Schvetz and assigns permission to license and publish such photos in any media for any purpose. This includes, but is not limited to advertising, marketing, promotion and commercial uses. I agree to the use of these images in any way the photographer sees fit including being combined with text, other images and graphics and being cropped or otherwise modified. I agree that I have no rights to the images and that all right belong to the photographer and her assigns and that I will make no further claim to the images for any reason. I acknowledge that this release is binding upon my heirs and legal representatives. I agree that this release is irrevocable, universal, and perpetual and will be governed by the laws of the United States at the time of signing. I agree that I am at least 18 years of age and have the full legal capacity to execute this release.
Property Description
Name of Representative (Print):
Name of Property (Print):
Address of Representative:
City:
State:
Postal/Zip Code:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Date of Birth:
Address of Property if different than above:
City:
State:
Postal/Zip Code:
Signature of Representative:
Date:
These releases were based off of releases found at istockphoto.com and dpcorner.com
State:
Postal/Zip Code:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Date of Birth:
Signature:
Date:
Property Release Form
For valuable consideration herein acknowledged as received, the undersigned being the legal owner of, or having right to permit the taking and use of photographs of certain property designated below grants the photographer Mary Louise Schvetz and assigns permission to license and publish such photos in any media for any purpose. This includes, but is not limited to advertising, marketing, promotion and commercial uses. I agree to the use of these images in any way the photographer sees fit including being combined with text, other images and graphics and being cropped or otherwise modified. I agree that I have no rights to the images and that all right belong to the photographer and her assigns and that I will make no further claim to the images for any reason. I acknowledge that this release is binding upon my heirs and legal representatives. I agree that this release is irrevocable, universal, and perpetual and will be governed by the laws of the United States at the time of signing. I agree that I am at least 18 years of age and have the full legal capacity to execute this release.
Property Description
Name of Representative (Print):
Name of Property (Print):
Address of Representative:
City:
State:
Postal/Zip Code:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Date of Birth:
Address of Property if different than above:
City:
State:
Postal/Zip Code:
Signature of Representative:
Date:
These releases were based off of releases found at istockphoto.com and dpcorner.com
YNP 1/17/10
Ski and Snowshoe Adventure in Yellowstone
Since it was a long weekend with beautiful weather and I have a new pair of skis to play with, a trip to Yellowstone was in order! Hilary and Rob came too, and we headed for Lost Lake Trail starting at the Petrified Tree. There wasn't a lot of snow, but more 
than enough to play in!
than enough to play in!We had a couple of wildlife sightings as well. On one of our breaks we were watching some mountain chickadees flit around when two woodpeckers flew in. At the time none of us knew what they were, but since we couldn't see any red we had ruled out downy and hairy woodpeckers. With the help of this (not very good) picture, you can just see the yellow on the forehead and, with Hilary's prowess using the bird guide, we concluded that they were American three-toed woodpeckers.
After we got done skiing, we took a short trip into the Lamar valley. Our photography teacher Dave Shumway was there looking at five wolves from the Druid pack, and he let us look through his camera to get a close view of them. Then it was time to head back to Billings, and on the way out of the Park we got our last view of some bighorn sheep.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Two Photographers
Jay Beyer is an outdoor adventure photographer based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. He learned photography almost by accident when his wife, Rachel bought a camera from a friend. At that time they were traveling across the country rock climbing, and at the same time Beyer started reading and picking up tips from his father (a photographer himself) and soon was getting great shots of rock and ice climbing, skiing. Eventually Beyer started seeing photos in magazines that didn't seem to compare to his own, so he sent some in, and they began to sell. Now he has clients including Black Diamond, Chaco, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, and Voile, as well as contributing to magazines like National Geographic Adventure, Backpacker, Powder, Outside, The Ski Journal, and Alpinist. Beyer says his motivation is not the money, but the joy he gets from the art of photography itself, keeping his and his friends memories of thier adventures sharp with pictures.
On a somewhat related topic, I've always loved wildlife photography, so I've written about one of them as well. Last year during a trip to Yellowstone National Park with a class I had the opportunity to meet Dan Hartman, a wildlife photographer that lives in Silvergate (there's plenty of wildlife there, we saw two flying squirrels and a fox in the hour we were at his house). Dan and his wife Cindy own and operate Silver Gate Gallery where they sell their photos. Dan has also been published in National Geographic, National Wildlife and acted as a guide for some of the filming of the series Planet Earth. Dan has spent years studying wildlife as well as photography in order to get the best pictures possible. He has spent thousands of hours exploring Yellowstone and the surrounding forests in search of the classic charismatic megafauna, as well as smaller, often more elusive creatures like pine martens, weasels, and owls. The combination of ecology, photography, and outdoor exploring really appeals to me, and Dan seems to have that mastered.
Jay Beyer's photos can be seen here.
Dan Hartman's photos can be seen here.
On a somewhat related topic, I've always loved wildlife photography, so I've written about one of them as well. Last year during a trip to Yellowstone National Park with a class I had the opportunity to meet Dan Hartman, a wildlife photographer that lives in Silvergate (there's plenty of wildlife there, we saw two flying squirrels and a fox in the hour we were at his house). Dan and his wife Cindy own and operate Silver Gate Gallery where they sell their photos. Dan has also been published in National Geographic, National Wildlife and acted as a guide for some of the filming of the series Planet Earth. Dan has spent years studying wildlife as well as photography in order to get the best pictures possible. He has spent thousands of hours exploring Yellowstone and the surrounding forests in search of the classic charismatic megafauna, as well as smaller, often more elusive creatures like pine martens, weasels, and owls. The combination of ecology, photography, and outdoor exploring really appeals to me, and Dan seems to have that mastered.
Jay Beyer's photos can be seen here.
Dan Hartman's photos can be seen here.
Model Release Forms
One of the aspects of photography I've never given much thought to is the possibility of selling my pictures. For me photography has always been about my own enjoyment, but as soon as you start thinking about selling photos you have to think about model release forms. Basically a model release form is used when photos are going to be used commercially and are designed to create a balance between the photographers right to the image and the subjects right to their likeness.
Of course, the specific use of the release forms is much more complex and comes with a set of legal considerations. Dan Heller, author of Photographers Guide to Model Releases, discusses many of these issues. The basic outline for determining whether or not a model release form is needed depends on if the photo will be sold commercially, if the person in the photo is readily identifiable, if compensation was given to the model, and if the photo was taken in a public or a private setting. Heller explores the complex issues that can arise from these basic questions. Excerpts from his book can be found here.
Since model releases can be so complex, it is probably better to use one if in doubt. The release document can be short and simple like this one, or longer and more specific like this one. These releases can also be used retroactively, so you can sell a picture you took years ago if you get the model release now. Obviously it is easier to get the release at or near the time the photo is taken, but as long as you have one when the photo is sold you should be alright.
Of course, the specific use of the release forms is much more complex and comes with a set of legal considerations. Dan Heller, author of Photographers Guide to Model Releases, discusses many of these issues. The basic outline for determining whether or not a model release form is needed depends on if the photo will be sold commercially, if the person in the photo is readily identifiable, if compensation was given to the model, and if the photo was taken in a public or a private setting. Heller explores the complex issues that can arise from these basic questions. Excerpts from his book can be found here.
Since model releases can be so complex, it is probably better to use one if in doubt. The release document can be short and simple like this one, or longer and more specific like this one. These releases can also be used retroactively, so you can sell a picture you took years ago if you get the model release now. Obviously it is easier to get the release at or near the time the photo is taken, but as long as you have one when the photo is sold you should be alright.
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