Wednesday, August 26, 2009

elkinsphotos.com

VIEW PHOTOGRAPHS BY LARRY ELKINS AT elkinsphotos.com FEATURING EIGHT GALLERIES OF PHOTOIMAGES INCLUDING WILDLIFE/NATURE, TRAVEL, PORTRAIT/FINE ART NUDE, IMAGES OF ECUADOR, VINTAGE BASEBALL PHOTO ESSAY AND MORE.

Monday, August 24, 2009

PAPARAZZI

Wouldn't it be great to live the glamorous, glitzy life of the paparazzi? Why even the name paparazzi has a certain ambiance, a certain cachet that simply reeks of champagne and caviar. That is until you realize that paparazzi is French for blood sucking mosquitos. What's worse is that most celebrities use what they consider an even more apt nickname when referring to the paparazzi; cockroaches. Paparazzi can, and often do, make a great deal of money. However, reputation wise, they are low men on the totem. Like Rodney Dangerfield, they don't get no respect. Like sleazy P.I.s, they live in a world of long, boring stakeouts, confrontational ambushes and hiding for hours in prickly, thorn riddled hedges. And for what? To obtain a grainy, almost unrecognizable shot of an over-the-hill celeb' s plump bared butt. Or, perhaps a full color photograph of a glamorous movie star's upraised middle finger. Or, even worse, an image in the camera's lens of Sean Penn's fist about to impact with your jaw. So, if your goal is to become a professional photographer, just remember this: a career as a member of the paparazzi may well net you lots of cool cash. However, a glamorous lifestyle and the respect of your peers most likely won't be yours.
























i.s

Sunday, August 23, 2009

SHARING THE EXPERIENCE

I just want to say a few words today cocerning the need for photographers to share their experience and knowledge with others A friend asked me yesterday to look over some photos taken by a young man just starting out in photography. I will, of course do what I can to encourage the young man. This got me to thinking though, about how important mentoring can be. I guess that's one reason, probably the main reason, I'm publishing this blog. I'm trying to share my thoughts and experiences. I hope you will consider doing the same.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A MADE PHOTOGRAPHER

Here's a quick update on another Bisbee photographer, the late Herb Faris. Herb, when I first met him, was a retired Hollywood cinematographer. Not surprisingly, he was also one heck of a photographer. Herb told me one time that he had never taken a picture. He made pictures. What hwe meant is that he controlled every aspect of the photographic process. Nothing was left to chance. While most of us are less exacting than Herb, we can still learn a lot from his approach. So, nthe next time you're out shooting, try making a photograph rather than just taking one.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

OPT FOR OPTICAL - ZOOM THAT IS

I was recently asked by a friend to clarify the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom. He had been told by a mutual acquaintance that the two terms were essentially the same. In short, zoom is zoom. Well, not exactly. In fact, there are very important differences. Basically, optical zoom is zoom. Digital zoom is not. Say you have one dozen flowers. You want to zoom in on a single flower. With optical zoom, you essentially magnify the image until the single flower fills the sensor. On the other hand, with digital zoom, what you are actually doing is cropping the image. So what's the problem with that? Cropping the image, assuming that the final result is printed at a given size, degrades the image.So, it's a no brainer. Opt (no pun intended) for optical xoom.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

WHERE DID ALL THE FILM GO?

AT SOME POINT VERY SOON, I'LL FINISH THAT LIST OF BISBEE PHOTOGRAPHERS. I PROMISE. However, right now I'd like to share a few thoughts with you concerning the evolution, read that revolution, that photography has undergone in the last two or three decades. I'd like to share a few incidences that illustrate just how far we've come. The first concerns two female co-workers. This incident occurred about twenty to twenty five years ago. A gentleman (read that geek) from what passed as an enformation technologies department came into the office with a camera. When he attempted to photograph the two ladies, they protested that they did not want their pictures taken. The geek's response was that there wasn't even any film in the camera, The lady's promptly began playing to the camera, reassured that they weren't really being photographed. Now the fact is that it probably seems incredible to you that these two women wouldn't have caught on that a camera held by a computer geek was quite capable of taking their picture without film. The fact is that digital photography at that time was such a novelty that these two women never considered the possibility. On the other hand, a friend of mine was recently photographing her grandson with a film SLR when he ran up to her asking to see his picture on the LCD screen. When told that there was none such, the little guy was quite disappointed. What kind of phony baloney camera didn't have an LCD screen? The times, they are a changin'. About three years ago I was pulled over by a highway patrolman. It turned out he wanted advice about purchasing a new camera to replace a digital point & shoot that had recently bought the farm. I asked him how many megapixels he felt he'd need. He informed me that the old camera was a one megapixel but he figured he should maybe upgrade to two. Well, I'm sure lots of passersby assumed that I was getting a traffic ticket while I stood there patiently explaining to the cop the realities of speeding (as in the digital world is speeding along the information highway at about a thousand miles an hour). It doesn't take a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowin', It's blowin' in the direction of gigapixels.

Monday, August 3, 2009

SHOOT YOUR WAY THROUGH TOMBSTONE - THE TOWN TOO TOUGH TO DIE.

SHOOT YOUR WAY THROUGH TOMBSTONE ARIZONA, THE TOWN TOO TOUGH TO DIE (with a camera of course). Tombstone is certainly a great place to visit and an even greater place to photograph. However, bear in mind that Tombstone is not a theme park although it may sometimes seem like one. It's an actual town. Before you rush to Tombstone from your home in Connecticut, take some time to research Tombstone and the rest of Cochise County on the internet. A good start is the official chamber of commerce site tombstone chamber.com.This site will prove priceless in planning your itinerary. If you need directions from Tucson or Phoenix, it's there; lodging accommodations, it's there; listing of special events, it's there; a list of tourist attractions, it's there. A visit to the special events page is a must as is a visit to the sunrise sunset climate chart listed under film and media. When you get to Tombstone, you'll be overwhelmed by the countless photo opportunities the town affords. When and where should you shoot? As to where, historic Allen Street is a good start. As to time of year, the off season means less tourists, a good thing for a photographer. What's the off season? Consult the chamber of commerce or visitor's center. What's the best time and day? Well, early morning or late afternoon on a Wednesday means less tourists. Noon Saturday means you'll be contending with the hordes of tourists that will frustrate the H--l out of you. There are so many interesting places to photograph, I'm not going to attempt to list them. However, be aware of a major caveat. If, for instance, you're inside the courthouse museum (just one example), don't expect to photograph the infamous gallows (as another example) and then sell 16 by 20 inch posters of same when you get back home. You'll get in trouble. Same goes for Boothill graveyard, Birdcage Theater etc. Check out their policies concerning photography and acceptable use of such. Another tip I will give you is this. Do not shoot postcard shots. Look for unique perspectives. That sign that reads OK CORRAL has been photographed thousands of times. I managed to photograph a mounted cavalryman riding past the sign. There haven't been too many shots taken of a mounted cavalryman riding by the OK Corral. The shot I took is about it. Also, look clsely at what you're actually shooting, then hone in on what's important. A close up image of a roadrunner with part of a wagonwheel in the background will probably elicit oohs and ahs. A shot of the entire wagon with the Shop n' Sip One convenience mart in the background probably won't. Also, when shooting a re-enactor (one of those people in 1880's attire), keep the following in mind. A shot of a prospector in front of a mule is interesting. A shot of the prospector isn front of a Ford Taurus ain't. The main thing though is to enjoy what you're doing. So, happy trails to you till we meet again.