Rabari - Encounters with the Nomadic Tribe

Rabari – Encounters with the Nomadic Tribe by Mitchell Kanashkevich

Mitchell Kanashkevich embarked on a fascinating 4 month journey to photograph the Rabari, a nomadic group of Indian cattle herders. As with so many cultures in today’s fast paced and ever changing world, the Rabari’s culture is quickly changing and Mitchell’s objective with this journey was to photograph the traditional rituals and dress, not just as a documentary but as work of art. This he achieved in a stunning portfolio of well thought out images. Rabari – Encounters with the Nomadic Tribe highlights the thought and process behind 10 of these images.

Click here to view more details - order before Christmas and save $5

Each image is presented with a full page spread with only captioning and exposure information providing us with an uncluttered view of the finished photograph. As mentioned before, these images are stunning and would do well purely as a portfolio but fortunately for us, Mitchell is willing to provide insight into the process that went into each of the photos.

The following pages contain additional background Information and Mitchell’s thoughts about the objectives, lighting, composition and other factors influencing the image. What is most impressive in this collection of images is his use of light. Graphics often illustrate the lighting used for a particular image and work well to explain his use of reflectors for many of the photos.

Rabari Travel Leader - before and after processing

Of particular interest to me is the presentation of other images from the same shoot with a discussion about how a decision was made on the final image. Mitchell works his subjects well and this composition discussion highlights the thought and process of working with his subjects.

What I find most impressive is the way that Mitchell treats the post processing of the images. While his well thought out images are fine the way they come out of the camera, his post processing truly brings out the “wow” factor that has cemented his reputation. The “What” and the “Why” is discussed for every image with both before and after photographs being shown along with a detailed description of the tools used to make the required changes. While he uses Lightroom and Photoshop, these ideas could be applied to most imaging programs. This is the type of information that has me looking at revisiting many of my images and working with them a little more. The results are astounding!

It’s easy to see why Mitchell Kanashkevich’s work has gone on to win numerous awards and has been published in many international magazines. If you want to take your travel photography to the next level this book will fulfill your requirements.

Highly recommended!
Click here to view more details - order before Christmas and save $5

The Rabari – Encounters with the Nomadic Tribe by Mitchell Kanashkevich is part of The Insider Series to Travel Documentary Photography published by LightStalking

Visit www.lightstalking.com

The Digital Photographer’s Guide to the Square Format

Click here to view more details

I always enjoy reading photography books that give me incentive to explore new ideas and techniques. Andrew Gibson’s Square: The Digital Photographer’s Guide to the Square Format is such a book although for many of us (showing our age!) the idea of using the square format takes us back to the beginning of our photography careers or possibly even earlier so in my case it’s more a book about revisiting ideas and technique. My first memories (and my first camera) were of the square format, a Kodak 126 Film Instamatic Camera. I always liked the shape and compositions possible.

The Digital Photographer’s Guide to the Square Format revisits this square format looking back at the history and the use of the square format in fine art photography today. I must admit, I don’t really think in the square format much anymore having been shooting the 3:2 aspect ratio of 35mm cameras and most professional digital cameras for the past 40 years. In the 80′s I used the 4:5 aspect ratio of large format as well as the square format of the Hasselblad but this was primarily for studio work. In recent years I do crop for the square format on occasion when it’s required but that is rare.

This book has me looking at the square photo format again. The images do look different, possibly because we don’t see them often anymore. The balance is different, a square image draws attention. Beautifully illustrated, Andrew will have you keen on heading out on your next shoot with a different vision.

For $9.97 you really can’t go wrong on this book, it will change your perspective in a very positive way.

Click here to view more details

Length: 52 double page spreads

Words: approx 12,500

Price: $US9.97

The Digital Photographer’s Guide to the Square Format by Andrew Gibson

Contents:

• The history of the square format
• Going square
• Square subjects
• The 35mm problem
• Cropping square
• Design & balance
• Shape
• The four S’s
• Black & white
• Case study: Matt Toynbee
• Vertoramas
• A creative edge
• Framing
• Creative layout
• Diptyches & triptyches
• Instagram
• Holga lenses
• Case study: Flavia Schaller
• Appendix A: Cropping
• Appendix B: Vertorama tutorial
• Appendix C: Adding a black border

Vision is Better II - Free The Mind, Free the Camera. Again. by David duChemin

Vision is Better II – Free The Mind, Free the Camera. Again.
by David duChemin

For many of us “professional photographers” David duChemin is what we want to be. Now this isn’t quite what it sounds but hear me out on this.

David has a philosophy he follows and I think it’s one that many photographers strive for but rarely achieve. Photography isn’t about gear, it’s about the emotion and production of meaningful images.

VISION IS BETTER II is a collection of 44 of the most recent essays about the photographic life and craft from David duChemin’s wildly popular PixelatedImage Blog. His insights on the how and why of photography, visual story telling, and life-lessons learned along the way make for a compelling and inspiring eBook that will captivate you from beginning to end.

Vision is Better II – Free The Mind, Free the Camera. Again. is only $5

Vision is Better II – Free The Mind, Free the Camera is an interesting read. What really sets this ebook apart from any other that I have read recently is his commitment to walking the talk. In David’s case he sold his home and much of his equipment and headed out into the world on a spiritual journey. Not always as smooth as expected but nonetheless a gutsy move; Something that I dream about doing but likely never will!

This massive 95-spread eBook is the follow-up to one of Craft & Vision’s best-selling titles. The Vision is Better series acts like a PixelatedImage yearbook that gives readers a no-holds-barred vantage point into the adventures and life of David duChemin while at the same time providing you with fresh ideas and insights about making the most of your own photographic journey.

If you’re a regular follower of David’s blog you’ll be glad to know that he’s included some previously unpublished essays, and removed a few of the typos, all re-designed and put into a package you can access off-line whenever you like. If you’re unfamiliar with David’s blog, Vision Is Better I and II will show you why this popular blog has become a gathering place for photographers around the world.

Click here to view more details

Special Discount Codes

• Get both of duChemin’s “Vision is Better” books for just $7 with the Vision is Better Bundle.  Use coupon code VIB7 to save $3
• For “Vision is Better II” use coupon code VIB4 by December 21st at Vision is Better II to buy the new book for only $4
• Save 20% on five or more books?  Head over to Craft & Vision and use coupon code VIB20 by December 21st for this incredible offer

Craft and Vision - 11 Ways You Can Improve Your Photography

The folks at Craft and Vision that produce many of the fantastic books we review on this site have once again produced an excellent photography e-book. This book is different however; it’s FREE. That’s correct, FREE! There’s really no excuse for not downloading a copy of Craft & Vision – 11 Ways You Can Improve Your Photography.

Download your FREE ebook now

This eBook is jam-packed with 11 articles that will help photographers of all levels improve what they do. And yes, it’s free. Craft & Vision is a collection of hands-on, practical articles written by the following photographers (David duChemin, Piet Van den Eynde, Andrew S. Gibson, Nicole S. Young, Alexandre Buisse, Stuart Sipahigil, Eli Reinholdtsen and Michael Frye).

Seattle's Top Photo Spots

I have been fortunate over the years to have spent a lot of time in the Pacific Northwest’s jewel city of Seattle. While most of my time in Seattle has been pleasure (read Mariner’s games, Mexican food and visiting family) I have done my share of photography as well. With a trip to Seattle coming up in the near future I was excited to get my hands on a new eBook, Seattle’s Top Photo Spots published by Shutter Tours.

As a background for this book review, Shutter Tours is the creation of award winning photographer Terry Divyak . He has an interesting concept; while you are visiting Seattle let him or one of his professional staff give you a tour of Seattle only the way a photographer could. In other words, learn photography while visiting some of the most interesting sites that Seattle has to offer. This eBook is an extension of this concept providing valuable information that both amateur and professional photographers require to get the most out of their Seattle experience.

Purchase a copy of Seattle’s Top Photo Spots for $14.95

Like many large cities Seattle has the iconic scenic views and cultural activities that draw both locals, tourists and in increasing numbers, photographers. Certainly we have all seen photographs of the impressive Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier looming in the background shot from Kerry Park. How often have we seen photographs of Pike Place Market and the Space Needle? Now, have you visited the troll sculpture under the Fremont Bridge or perhaps the gum wall? I certainly have heard of some of these out of the way places but never made the effort to visit them. Seattle’s Top Photo Spots covers over 25 of the most interesting photo locations in the city from well known landmarks to the “it only happens in Seattle” locations.

Sample page from Seattle's Top Photo Spots

Seattle’s Top Photo Spots provides detailed information specifically for photographers, for example; If you want a nice unobstructed view of Seattle’s first skyscraper, the Smith Tower, they suggest you go to the intersection of 2nd and S. Jackson St. on the south side of the building and one of the best bird’s eye views of Seattle is from the Bank of America Tower. Want to photograph the gum wall? Try to get there early before the crowds arrive at 10:00 AM. This is the type of information that can take days to figure out on your own and is often difficult to find.

As a bonus, photo tips are located with each of the over 25 locations providing a tip specific to what you are viewing. On photographing the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks; “When shooting the spawning salmon, press your lens all the way onto the glass, to eliminate the light reflections from the viewing area”. An excellent tip for better photographs! For users of the internet each location has Google Maps Links and Flickr Photo Links as well. It’s pretty cool to see what other photographers have done with the same subject, an approach I often use when setting out on an assignment. A little history thrown in, tips on parking and good food places and all beautifully illustrated with excellent photography. Time to head back to Seattle!

If you are heading to Seattle or perhaps live there and want to enjoy Seattle from a photography perspective with a professional photographer visit Shutter Tours.

Purchase a copy of Seattle’s Top Photo Spots

Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography by Alexandre Buisse

Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography by Alexandre Buisse – Ebook Review

Craft and Vision has once again published one of their well researched and beautifully photographed ebooks, this time by mountaneering photographer Alexandre Buisse.

I’ve always admired what many professional photographers will do to get the perfect image and Alexandre Buisse’s Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography presents us an inside glimpse into the world of a mountaineering photographer as well as the associated challenges. The majority of us will never be in a position to photograph any of the extreme climbs that Alexandre achieves but I found that much of the technique he discusses can be carried over into many additional forms of photography. Among them are the choices to be made about carrying equipment and the value of keeping the weight down and making the photography equipment accessible. For example, he mentions that inaccessible gear is rarely used, I tend to agree. Safety for oneself and others is widely discussed as well, always in the back or front of the mind as the photographer works around the challenges.

For me the most beautiful part of this book is the photographs. Gorgeous black and white images are mixed in with colourful rock faces. Most of the images have a human element, a small figure in a huge landscape, others showing the personal hardship involved in the sport. A few photographs look like parts of an alien computer generated landscape, something most of us will never experience except through the eyes of a gifted photographer.

Nevado Chopicalqui, Cordillera Blanca, Peru by Alexandre Buisse

All of Craft and Visions books are available for $5 each, an absolute bargain for well written and researched ebooks. Click Here to Get the Book Now

Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography by Alexandre Buisse is a collection of amazing stories and beautiful photographs from some of the most breathtaking and remote places in the world. This ebook will inspire and excite photographers from all disciplines, but the avid landscape photographer and adventurer in spirit will be especially intrigued. Alexandre is both a mountaineer and a photographer who takes the reader through some amazing expeditions and reveals the gear and the vision he used when shooting in these spectacular places. The behind-the-scenes action and awe-inspiring visuals make for a great read!

Extreme Perspectives An Introduction to Mountain Photography by Alexandre Buisse

Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography is available now as a downloadable PDF for just $5 USD.

Special Offer on PDFs – For the first four days only, if you use the promotional code EXTREME4 when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of Extreme Perspectives for only $4 OR use the code EXTREME20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST May 15, 2011.

The Power of Black & White In Adobe Lightroom & Beyond (A MASTER CLASS)

The Power of Black & White In Adobe Lightroom & Beyond (A MASTER CLASS) by Piet Van den Eynde - E-book Review

For a number of years black and white photography seemed to slip away a little as the transformation from film to digital was taking place. While this certainly wasn’t the first time black and white was set aside in some ways it was the most damaging and frustrating with many photographers that were doing black and white work left in a void without a traditional darkroom or the printers and software to produce excellent work with digital. I was included in this bunch. Fortunately this has now changed.

The Power of Black & White In Adobe Lightroom & Beyond is now available through the award-winning Craft & Vision website.

Click Here to Get the Book Now

The Power of Black & White in Adobe Lightroom & Beyond (A Masterclass) by Piet Van den Eynde is an exceptional course on creating black and white photographs in Adobe Lightroom. For the emerging photographer, digital black and white seems like it’s simply a mouse-click away but the process to create exceptional monochrome images requires a systematic and knowledgeable approach to colour conversion and post-production editing. Piet Van den Eynde does a great job taking us through his approach with case studies and his associated beautiful travel photography.

Taught by a talented educator, its’ all here: the detailed explanations, step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and case studies in this groundbreaking ebook unpack the workflow needed to make beautiful black and white photographs. Thorough notes on the tools, plug-ins, brushes, and even HDR techniques provide the resources you need to produce powerful and captivating images. Piet Van den Eynde pulls out all the stops, bringing to Craft&Vision its largest-ever ebook and first Masterclass publication.

Exceptional black and white travel photography by Piet Van den Eynde

While Piet uses Adobe Lightroom in his approach the process using Adobe Photoshop or many other photo editors will be similar. For me much of how he works is more of a thought and visualization process.

All of Craft and Visions books are available for $5 each, an absolute bargain for well written and researched ebooks. Click Here to Get the Book Now

Special Offer on PDFs

For the first five days only, if you use the promotional code BWLIGHT4 when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of The Power of Black & White in Adobe Lightroom & Beyond (A MASTER CLASS) for only $4 OR use the code BWLIGHT20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST April 16, 2011.

Because Piet spends a little time talking about the power of plug-ins like NiK Software’s Silver Efex pro, NiK has ponied up 3 full versions of Silver Efex Pro, which anyone that buys this masterclass between April 12-16 is eligible to win!

The Power of Black & White In Adobe Lightroom & Beyond

Darwin Wiggett - Winter in the Canadian Rockies

Darwin Wiggett has been a professional photographer that I have had my eye on for a long time. I’m uncertain why this is precisely but it likely gets down to “I can relate to what he does”. I spent eight years living in Calgary with trips to the Canadian Rockies or Montana many weekends, almost a spiritual experience. This is the power these magnificent mountains can hold over you regardless if you are purely a visitor or a photographer. Being a professional photographer, I have also explored these areas and been completely amazed by the overall beauty and feeling of the Canadian Rockies. Darwin Wiggett takes is one step further and shows us the beauty of this area in wintertime, perhaps in many ways the most beautiful season however at the same time for any photographer the most challenging.

Winter in the Canadian Rockies by Darwin Wiggett is now available through the award-winning Craft and Vision website. Click Here to Buy the Book Now

I have always been fascinated in viewing other photographers work, partly for a personal learning experience but additionally from a more “business” sense”. I will point out here that I completely believe in the concept that you are never good enough that you have absolutely nothing to learn. I will leave that to the arrogant professional photographers living in big cities.

Craft and Vision - Winter in the Canadian Rockies

Just what does Darwin Wiggett deliver to us in this e-book? To begin with, he discusses the preparation behind doing serious photography throughout the winter. I realize that everyone has an “amazing” photograph they shot but let’s get realistic; doing photography in cold weather conditions is equally hard on the camera equipment as well as our aging bodies.

Darwin’s photos are an example of a professional photographer that feels entirely comfortable with their surroundings. Believe me, this can be one of the more important factors! He is a master at the grand landscape but additionally works well with the intimate landscape too, all this in the severe conditions that cold weather can bring.

Craft & Vision has published Darwin Wiggett’s e-book as part of their The Print and the Process series, all available for $5 making these publications one of the best photography technique and practical knowledge resources currently available.

Here’s Craft and Visions ebook introduction:

Darwin Wiggett captures the spirit of Canada’s most striking mountain range in this monograph of breath-taking landscapes. Photographers of all levels, and geographic persuasion, will find inspiration and insight in this beautiful body of work, and the accompanying discussions that spans nearly 3 decades.

Darwin discusses in detail the joys and difficulties of working in the cold to capture the abstract and artistic beauty of this magical place.

Special Offer on PDFs

For the first five days only, if you use the promotional code
*ROCKIES4* when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of Winter in
the Canadian Rockies for only $4 OR use the code *ROCKIES20* to get 20%
off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft & Vision
collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST January 22nd, 2011.

Journey Through Java by Mitchell Kanashkevich

Travel photographers frequently discover themselves in interesting dilemmas when preparing for overseas trips to far away locations? Among these will be the unknown, ranging from potential communication skills to unfamiliarity with the geography and regional traditions. How will I move around? Where will I stay? From a camera equipment perspective unknowns surface as well; how many cameras do i need to take? how many lenses & what types? flash units, tripods? 

Each and every professional photographer possesses a different way of coping with this and each destination features a unique number of complex requirements. Often we do not discover if we were really properly prepared until it’s far too late and the trip has begun but trip planning can reduce the potential for problems developing and open up the region after your arrival. 

Mitchell Kanashkevich’s Journey Through Java, the 5th book published by Craft and Vision within their The Print and The Process Series details some of these fundamental judgements that need to be made. 

Journey Through Java by Mitchell Kanashkevich

Journey through Java is superbly illustrated in a manner that only a professional photographer completely in touch with his/her environment can accomplish. Mitchell talks about his travel preparations in greater detail beginning with a desire to apply himself to mastering some Bahasa Indonesia, the recognized language of Indonesia, so as to obtain access and connect with the nation as well as its’ people. While taking on this challenge for many people could be challenging it is precisely what made much of his photographic essay achievable. 

Not getting burdened down by gear is essential for Mitchell and shows that becoming part of the travelling experience and tradition is much more significant than the tools that we bring. Mitchell took a Canon 5D, Canon 24-70mm lens along with a 20mm f/1.8 Sigma lens. A Canon 580EXII flash with the Canon infrared receiver completed the kit with a tripod obtained towards the end of the journey. As Mitchell frequently travels with his partner he had an extra Canon camera & longer zoom lens available as well when needed, a true bonus. Having traveled extensively myself I can highly recommend reading this chapter and paying attention to the “less is more” concept. Nothing’s more unpleasant than becoming burdened down by your equipment. 

Mitchell’s creative ideas and the stories behind the photos are a true inspiration for any traveller  as well as the traveller  with digital camera  in tow. Prior to  heading out  on your  next journey  do yourself a favour  and purchase a copy of this exceptional  e book. At only $5 USD it will be the least expensive part of your trip. The most expensive part? After viewing Mitchell’s photos you will end up longing for a trip to Java.

I think I’ve been extremely blessed being a professional photographer for the reason that I’ve embraced digital technologies since the early days of the digital photography. You have to understand that this is not a number of decades we are dealing with however, in my illustration it is only since 1999 I believe.  The reason for the “fortunate” element is a little 2 sided, the positive aspect being i used PhotoShop and DAM software for countless years and they are merely a natural part of my personal life and workflow, the negative aspect being that a great many of my earlier digital images are lousy as far as the high quality element goes. Although they served the function at the time; having the capacity to shoot photographs and e mail them quickly, at 2.1 unclear megapixels there isn’t much hope with regard to their long-term use within my personal stock portfolio.

Light and Land, Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom is now available for only $5, less than a fancy coffee and far more informative! Click Here to Get the Book Now

Having witnessed a few beginner and pro photographers make the switch to the newest digital systems in recent years I have seen a consistent struggle with individuals attempting to figure out the most effective techniques to produce the images they have labored so faithfully for while in the photography phase. Many have spent many years shooting using Fujichrome Velvia, not a particular favourite of mine but nevertheless a very popular roll film. Other photographers have come through the negative film ranks where the exposure tolerance is relatively lax and may have been somewhat lazy in perfecting this important technical element of photography. Regardless, what both slide film & negative film had in common is generally is that many of us took our film to a photo lab and left the film with their skilled specialists to supply the end results. Sure, you will find exceptions, some of us did our own printing, particularly with black and white imagery. In our modern-day digital world now “we” are both the digital photographer and technician.

Light and Land, Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom by Michael Frye is the most recent e-book to the Craft & Vision library. Michael, a photographer based on the doorstep of Yosemite National Park, understands his stuff about inspired landscapes as well as the post-processing approaches which make his vision a reality. Light and Land is written especially for photographers with an interest in scenery and who desire to clarify their own unique perspective. Landscape photography, like other specific genres, possesses its own challenges with regards to the digital darkroom and this e book will be of use to anybody planning to take their post-processing one stage further. With equal parts inspiration and instruction Michael goes step-by-step over the aesthetic judgments behind every decision, and he unpacks the principles behind the landscape-specific considerations.

While Michael takes us through the developing of five scenery photos the workflow and decisions made will work for nearly every photo regardless if you are a nature photographer, amateur photographer or possibly only want to get the best results you can from your household pictures. Michael uses Adobe Lightroom for his examples however the same principles apply regardless of the photo editor that you are utilizing.

Light and Land, Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom is crammed full of information and superbly illustrated with gorgeous photos of Yosemite National Park. The book can be purchased now as a down-loadable Pdf file for just $5US. Believe me, this ebook is definitely worth the price, that’s not much more than the coffee house cappuccino you had this morning!

Special Offer on PDFs

For the first 4 days only, if you use the promotional code LAND4 when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of Light & Land for only $4 OR use the code LAND20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST December 19, 2010.