Favorite Photos, December. Click for a larger version.
Here are my favorite photos for the month of December. The story behind this “favorite photos by date” project is here.
Favorite Photos – December
Monthly Archives: December 2018
Favorite Photo, December 31
Family Christmas, West Point, New York. December 31, 2005.
If you have been following this series recently, you have figured out we celebrate Christmas on most any date, and sometimes several dates. With family spread out across the country in six different states, we travel to them and they travel to us in different combinations every year. One year we had 4 Christmases spread out between December 25 and late January.
A Full Year of Photo Projects, Arranged by Season
Tom Ang: Digital Photography Through the Year and The Complete Photographer.
Looking for a series of photo projects to inspire you for a full year? Tom Ang wrote a great book with 144 projects arranged by season. He also wrote an excellent companion volume arranged by topics.
Favorite Photo, December 30
Last Light on El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California. December 30, 1990.
In my “favorite photos” folder the photos for today’s date are a mix of landscape and family pictures. I have two first choices for today’s favorite photo. The first was taken in Yosemite National Park.
Favorite Photo, December 29
Kristin, Columbus Ohio. December 29, 2014.
Kristin and I were doing a photo shoot in downtown Columbus. It was chilly out (the windchill was 26°), but we did it anyway.
Favorite Photo, December 28
Bird Reflections, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Fremont California. Dec 28, 1990.
We were in Fremont California visiting family over the holidays. As I sometimes do when we are there, I head out early in the morning to go to the local wildlife refuge. This image is my favorite that morning, my favorite for this date, and one of my all time favorite wildlife images.
Favorite Photo, December 27
Sunny in the Car, Galena Ohio. December 27, 2016.
There are only two photos in my “favorite photos” folder for December 27. They were taken within seconds of each other and this is the best of the two. Continue reading
Merry Christmas!
Silent Night, Moraine Park, Colorado
Snow glistens in the last light of dusk.
Distant clouds glow with the fading light from the sun, long since set.
Favorite Photo, December 25
Janae and Candle, Nebraska. Christmas 1980.
My favorite photo for this date is actually two photos. The first is a photo of our daughter looking at a Christmas candle.
Favorite Photo, December 24
Christmas Ornament, Columbus Ohio. December 24, 2013.
After decorating our Christmas tree I did images of some of the the individual ornaments. For this exposure I zoomed the camera lens for about half the time the shutter was open. This is my favorite photo for today’s date.
Favorite Photo, December 23
Leg Lamp and Legs, The Pizza Shack, Lamoni Iowa. December 23, 2018.
My favorite photo for this date was taken just a few hours ago.
Favorite Photo, December 22
Grand Canyon at Dawn, Arizona. December 2, 1985.
Landscapes photos are rare for me in December since we aren’t usually traveling unless we are going to see family for the holidays. But in 1985 we were driving across country on I-40 to spend Christmas with family in California. The Grand Canyon isn’t far from I-40.
Favorite Photo, December 21
Family portrait, Lamoni, Iowa. December 21, 2016.
I have two favorite photos for this date. The first is a family photo from two years ago.
Favorite Photo, December 20
Jennifer at the Piano, Worthington Ohio. December 20, 2009.
This photograph was spur of the moment. Jennifer played the piano at church for a Sunday morning service and I decided after church that I wanted a photo of her playing the piano.
Favorite Photo, December 19
Dina, Columbus Ohio. December 19, 2007.
It is December and most of my favorite photos are of family, friends, and models. My favorite photo for December 19 is this image of Dina, a model in Ohio. I used one studio light to camera left, bounced out of an umbrella, to create the semi-high contrast light. The camera was right on the floor to catch some of the reflection in the hardwood floor.
Metering People in the Snow
Kristina in the Snow
The white snow in a winter scene can and often does fool a camera meter into underexposing a portrait, so here are the steps to take to get the right exposure. I throw in a few portrait suggestions too.
How To Work With A Model When The Windchill is 4°
Selina, Downtown Columbus Ohio. Windchill 4°.
You would think a windchill of 4° Fahrenheit (-16°C) would be too cold for a photo shoot, but not with some models. We booked this January shoot weeks in advance so we knew it would be cold, but we had no idea how cold until the day arrived. Here’s the story behind this image and how to work with a model when it is so cold.
Mixing Flash and Ambient Light for a Christmas Portrait
Kristina at Christmas
On Christmas eve I found myself doing Christmas portraits for Kristina’s portfolio. She is a friend of mine who is a model and actress in L.A.. There isn’t a lot of space in my studio when the Christmas tree is up so I had to improvise a bit with the lighting and I needed to get the right mix of flash and ambient light for the look I wanted.
How to Photograph Christmas Lights with Your DSLR, ILC, or Smartphone
Christmas Lights, Easton Shopping Center, Columbus, OH
‘Tis the season and there are a lot of Christmas lights out there to photograph. It is fun and easy, and with a few tricks up your sleeve there are creative things you can do. Many of these techniques can be used on other lights throughout the year, so this is a good time to practice your skills for photographing lights.
Favorite Photo, December 18
Sunny, Columbus Ohio. December 18, 2017.
There are only two photos in my favorite photos folder for December 18, and both come from walks with our dog Sunny. The first photo is at the end of our walk a year ago today and he is looking up at me with an “I want something look”. Probably he wants a treat. This is my favorite photo for this date.
Handheld Panos: Sometimes You Get Lucky
Kroger Panorama. Graceland Shopping Center, Columbus Ohio. November 12, 2013. Click for a larger version.
I’ve done a lot of commercial panoramas for clients as diverse as KOA Campgrounds and Crown Plaza Hotels. When I am on a commercial assignment I follow all the right steps and use all the right equipment. For the Kroger pano above I did everything right.
But there are times when you are doing your own thing and decide at the last minute you want to try a pano. You might get lucky trying to do a handheld panorama. I will tell you how to increase your odds of getting a good handheld pano.
Favorite Photo, December 17
Sunny on the Sofa, Columbus Ohio. December 17, 2015.
Our dog Sunny didn’t sit, lay, or sleep on the back of the sofa until our “granddog” Jack came to visit. Jack loves the back of the sofa so Sunny picked up his back of the sofa habit from Jack. This is my favorite photo for today’s date.
Favorite Photo, December 16
Stephanie, Columbus Ohio. December 16, 2016.
To my eyes, a mother looking forward to the birth of her child is one of the most beautiful sights on the planet. That is why I love baby bump photography.
Favorite Photo, December 15
Autumn Leaves, Columbus Ohio. December 15, 2015.
I was surprised these colorful autumn leaves were still hanging around this late in the year, so I got out my iPhone and took a picture. This is my favorite photo for December 15.
Favorite Photo, December 14
Holly, Easton, Columbus Ohio. December 14, 2006.
A long time friend was visiting us and we were out enjoying the Christmas lights. I decided it would be nice to take a picture of her surrounded by all of the lights.
Chinese Lens Redux: One More Look at Overpriced, Lousy Quality Lenses
Chinese Lens Ad on Facebook
Don’t waste your money!
The short story: You can buy this same exact lens on Amazon for $10 – $15, or on eBay for $3 – $4. Don’t pay the $37.99 price in the ad. The lens quality is lousy. Lots of people have been ripped off by some of the companies selling these overpriced lenses.
Lest We Forget. Six Years Ago.
Sandy Hook Elementary, Newtown Connecticut, December 14, 2012.
How to Photograph a Meteor Shower
Perseid Meteor photographed from Rose Hill Cemetery west of Lamoni, Iowa. 4:55 am CDT, August 13, 2018. Cropped from the original image.
Tonight (Dec 13-14) is the night of the Geminid Meteor Shower. This article will tell you what you need to know to photograph what should be the best meteor shower of 2018.
Favorite Photo, December 13
Sarah, Downtown Columbus Ohio. December 13, 2006.
In my “favorite photos” folder, all of my favorite photos for December 13 are from photo shoots with Sarah and Lela Rae, two of my favorite models to work with.
Favorite Photo, December 12
The River Walk, San Antonio Texas. December 12, 1992.
The River Walk in San Antonio is a great place to be most any time of year, and certainly at Christmas. You can tell this is a long exposure from the blurred boat. This is my favorite photo for December 12.