Category Archives: How To

Using long lenses for portrait photography

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Galen Leeds Photography

When people think about “portrait” photography, it seems they instantly think of fast 50mm and 85mm lenses, perhaps going up or down a hair in focal length. No thanks, I’ve been there, done that, and don’t feel the need to … Continue reading →

Posted in How To, How To, photography, portraits, SLR | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Getting clarity by turning off your focus

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Galen Leeds Photography

One of the best camera tech tips I ever got was to turn off the focus capability of the shutter release button. I’ve been doing so for years now, and today, I suggest that you do the same. (Gasps of … Continue reading →

Posted in How To, How To, photography, SLR | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Where to find rainbows (and your best light)

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

If you are shooting pictures with natural light, try for the best light you can. It is quite simple to find, and through a similar process, you can also find rainbows when the conditions are right. Know where your brightest … Continue reading →

Posted in How To, nature photography, photography, weather | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Anatomy of a photo #71: Cauliflower fractals

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

New Plants and nature are rather amazing as they follow mathematical formulae, growing to patterns we don’t even realize until they are shoved under our noses, like in the case of a Romanesco Cauliflower. It is a series of tiny … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a photo #69: Following the tracks of history

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

1930 saw the end of an era in western Marin and Sonoma counties, when the railroad running through this rural area was dismantled. Allowing timber and tourists alike to travel between Sausalito and the Russian River, little remains to hint … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, California, How To, landscapes, nature photography, photography, SLR | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anatomy of a photo #61: Raven tracks on sand dunes

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

Early in the morning, before the winds have had the chance to erase the tracks of the night and dawn, you can walk the loose sands of the world, reading those stories. Here raven tracks criss cross each other, meandering … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, How To, landscapes, National Park, nature photography, photography, SLR | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Anatomy of a photo #54: Rainbow on the beach

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

In the picture above I was at Matapauri Bay in New Zealand, walking along a short trail that cut through two small hills near the beach. A sudden down pour  forced me to stow my camera (a.k.a. cellphone) in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, How To, landscapes, nature photography, New Zealand, photography, weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finding scale in New Zealand

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

So often when taking photographs, we see something amazing, raise our cameras, take the shot, and walk away very pleased with ourselves. Until we get home and review our pictures. We were so impressed with how much larger or smaller … Continue reading →

Posted in documentary, How To, How To, marine life, nature photography, New Zealand, photography, SLR | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Anatomy of a photo (series) #50: Red-shouldered Hawk swallowing a snake head first

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

When a raptor eats a snake, or at least so my sources tell me, they often begin by positioning the snake so that they may eat it… head first. It makes sense really. The scales of a snake are designed … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, birds, hawks, How To, nature photography, photography, road side, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Anatomy of a photo #49: Green Heron at Hog Island Oysters

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

Sometimes we are involved doing one thing, when something different comes along and we completely change our focus. I’d been taking some pictures of a happening for the local paper, when I saw a bird I had never noticed before. … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, birds, California, How To, nature photography, photography, SLR, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Anatomy of a photo #41: Silhouetted Willet walking on the beach

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

I took this picture towards the end of a very long day of driving and hiking around Point Reyes National Seashore. I had woken up that morning to hear on the radio that the air quality was exceptionally clear, and … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a photo #40: A season of thistles

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

They are a weed. Their spiky heads can leave a child wailing and an adult cursing. They are often a blight, an eyesore, something to be dealt with or avoided. They also can have their own beauty and intricacies, if … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, How To, nature photography, Photo Essay, photography, portraits, ruminating, SLR | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments