MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 25 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Day 25 is all about our theme SHUTTER SPEED.  It's not very creative by name, but shutter speed can add an exciting element of creativity to your photography.

You can push the envelope with shutter speed either out of necessity or for creative purposes.  Let me explain. 

LOW SHUTTER SPEEDS

If you are shooting a scene that is too dark and you do not have proper exposure, you can lower your shutter speed in order to get more light into the image, therefore properly exposing it.  This can work really well.  Up to a point.  If you shutter speed gets too low, your image may be blurry because of camera shake, but you may not recognize it as such. 

For creative purposes, if you want to add some motion or blur to an image, a lower shutter speed can help you achieve this. 

Here are some guidelines for effective shutter speed use: 

1.  Your shutter speed should never be lower than your focal length.  What? I know, that sounds confusing.  I'll first explain focal length.  Without going into all the nitty gritty here (because that would be an entirely different tutorial), the easiest way to think about it is to know that the focal length of a lens determines how "zoomed in" your photos will be.  The longer the lens (i.e. 400mm), the more zoom will take place.  So, regardless of the focal length of your lens, a good rule of thumb for most people is that the shutter speed should never go below the focal length you are using. 

So… if you are using a 70-200mm lens, and you have it zoomed out to 100mm (you can see this in your camera meter), your shutter speed for that particular image should not go below 100mm to ensure sharpness when hand holding your camera.  If you are using a tripod, lower away.  

Do I practice what I preach?  Within reason.  I often push my shutter speed below the focal length of my lens while shooting hand held (without a tripod), but I compensate for that in other ways.  

Having said that, if you are shooting at 100mm, and your shutter speed is 1/30, you are asking for blurry pictures.  You may also hear the shutter release slow when you press it.  This is a sure indicator that your shutter speed is too low. 

2.  Hand held vs tripod:  As I mentioned above, a tripod will allow you additional stability when shooting at lower shutter speeds.  I very rarely use a tripod, but when I am using a lower shutter speed, I often brace myself against a wall, my arm, or sometimes even my leg if I am sitting and shooting.  That extra stability can really make a difference in the sharpness of your image. 

HIGH SHUTTER SPEEDS

So if that's what low shutter speeds are all about, what's the scoop with higher shutter speeds and why would you want to use them?  

Here's the way I like to think of it:  slow shutter speeds are all about blur.  High shutter speeds freeze action.  Most of you are familiar with the theory that higher shutter speeds are great for sports photography, but they can really play a role in every day photography as well, in particular macro photography.  

The biggest downside to shutter speeds in my opinion (or why I use it less than the other dials for creative photography) is that your camera will have a limit to how high your shutter speed can be when using flash.  For many cameras, it is 1/250, or even 1/200.  It depends on your make and model, but this is something you should look up for your particular camera if you do not know what that value is.  If you pick a shutter speed that is too high to sync with your flash, you will often get "vignetting", which means a section of your image will be black (typically the bottom if you've shot the image in the landscape format).  

Your assignment:  Take a picture three different times, and experiment with your shutter speed.  Post all three images, the camera values you used, and explain what you saw as the difference.  

I will be adding images to this tutorial as time allows.  

MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 29 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Day 29 of the MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days challenge is here, and it's Sunday.  We thought a perfect theme for the day would be to show us how you spend your day.  It's beautiful here in Minnesota, so I'm rooting for outdoor pictures, gang. 

Today's theme:  SUNDAY 

MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 28 | Maris Ehlers Photography

My facebook post from yesterday for Saturday's theme (Day 28):

"The MEP 30 photos in 30 days theme for the day: PARTY. Take a picture of a party. It can be a tea party, a birthday party, inpromptu dinner party, or even a pity party. Ha! Whatever kind of party you have, go to, find or can make up." 

Admittedly, since Angel and I would be photographing a wedding yesterday at the stunning Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul, I chose PARTY because I knew we'd have some cool party pictures, and we do.

However, I thought I'd share a picture from the actual ceremony, which is the focal point of the PARTY that Angel took. 

MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 26 | Maris Ehlers Photography

It's hard to believe it's day 26 of the MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days photo challenge. Today's theme: MY LIFE.  Which just to clarify, is really about YOUR LIFE and not "MY" LIFE.  :)

So grab your camera, think about a subject that reflects your life and document it.  Don't forget to post it!

I'll update later with my entry for the day.

MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 24 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Sorry this is so late today.  When I started this challenge, I was posting images that I had taken previously that fit the chosen theme.  However, about half way through I decided that I needed to be finding time in my day to take a picture that fits the theme, just like you guys do. 

It's been fun, but some days it's harder than others to find the time to get the camera out and take some images. 

Today's theme was chosen by my daughter.  It is IMAGINATION. As is the case with the rest of the challenge, add your picture any day you'd like. 

My son has one of the most active imaginations around, and legos are often the tangible expression of whatever he is dreaming and thinking about at the moment. 

Tonight he created this Shark Patrol.  Unbeknownst to me the back wheels had fallen off. He was quite upset that I had photographed it without the back wheeels and wanted me to retake the picture (this after I had already uploaded it), but I promised him no one would notice.  :)  

He loves building the lego sets that he gets for gifts, but honestly, I think he finds even more joy in building his own unique lego creations.  The ones he and his IMAGINATION dream up. Some days they are really complex, and some days a simple Shark Patrol will do.  

MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 23 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Today's theme is SILVER. While it could certainly be the metal silver, it can also simply be something that is the color silver (or gray).  Let's see how exciting you can make silver (or gray) be.

SILVER made me think of jewelry, but I wanted to choose something sentimental but not so typical.  After thinking about it for a bit, I decided to photograph my brother's dog tag.

I think this image will also be my entry for TIME.  It's so hard to believe that he's been gone for over seven years already.  In some ways it seems like a lifetime, and then in others it seems like it can't have been that long.

It's one of the few momentos of his that I have.  He did not die in the line of duty, but it doesn't make these tags any less special.

My Brother's Dog Tags - I edited out his social security number, for obvious reasons.  f/13, 1/200, ISO 200.  Lens used: Camera:  Canon 5d Mark II, Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

I think most of us are intertwined with our a siblings in a way that we never are with another person, and time in so many ways is irrelevant.

MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 22 | Maris Ehlers Photography

TIME.  We all wish we had more, that it moved faster, that it stood still.  It all depends on the moment. 

Today, take some time to take a picture about, well, TIME.  The clock's the limit.  

MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 21 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Day 21.  Whew! I can't believe we've made it this far already.

For those who have been participating regularly since the challenge started, I have to tell you that I can see a big difference in your images.  The APERTURE challenge has probably been our most popular thus far, and I think a few of you started to understand the idea of it better simply by taking multiple images at different aperture ranges and then documenting and evaluating your results.

Today's theme, as I mentioned last night on facebook, will be REFLECTIONS.

While originally my only thought was that a picture with this theme would show a physical reflection (i.e. off of water, glass, etc.,), it suddenly struck me that someone else might have a different interpretation.  A different type of image for this theme might be a picture that shows someone being reflective, or a place that makes being reflective easy.

So have at it and be sure to post your entries.  As always, if you have any questions about a particular day's challenge, feel free to post a question here, on the St. Michael Patch, or facebook.

Can't wait to see!

MEP 30 Photos in 30 Days - Day 20 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Today's theme came from one of our participants, and is TEXTURE.  Textures of all sorts make for great backgrounds AND subjects.

For this challenge today, try to push yourself beyond AUTO, and experiment with a few things.  

I'll be updating this post with pictures later today.

As a nod to Stu's tutorial, I did a macro shot of water and glass.  Unfortunately, I don't have any big martini glasses, so this little one was hard to get a dramatic pour from, but it was still fun!

Enjoy your weekend! 

30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 19

For Day 19, the theme is RAINBOWS OF COLOR.  There's a trick, though.  You can't actually submit a photograph of a rainbow!  It has to be either a rainbow made out of something else, or simply a profusion of different colors.

Think outside the box and impress me!

This is my attempt.  I tried so hard to get every color represented with fruit.  I managed red (raspberries), orange (kumquats), yellow (pineapple), green (limes), blue (blueberries), indigo (blackberries), and violet (ok, I struck out here, so I used a pinkish yogurt as a dip).

In this first series, I love the raspberries, but because the pineapple chunks are too high, I lose everything else.

I'm playing with this at the studio today, otherwise I would use other dishes at home.  So, I'm sort of stuck with this.

Here is my second plan.  I really wish I had a different dish, but short of having Angel hold the fruit with her bare hands, I think this is it.

I may play around with this a bit more at home over the weekend.  I'm excited to have my kids try the kumquats.

Update:

Well, Hunter ate all of the kumquats, so now I've moved on to crayons.  This used on camera flash.  I wish we had a new box of crayons.  These are pretty scruffy looking, but well-used!

MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 18

Today's theme is APERTURE.


Aperture is the size of the opening inside the lens when you take a picture.  The size (which is adjustable) determines how much light gets into the camera when you take a picture.


Aperture is measured by the term f-stop, and is reflected with an "f" and a "/" before the aperture value.


Like this:  f/8.0.


It can get confusing, but here is what you need to know.  A low number (like f/2.8) means a big opening, which means more light gets in.  This is useful in a variety of settings, including low ambient light.  A high number (like f/16) means a small opening, which means less light gets in. This is why it can be difficult to take a sharp picture of a whole bunch of people if there isn't enough light outside.


Aperture all by itself probably isn't very interesting.  It's more of a technical thing.


Low f/stop = larger opening + more light.
Higher f/stop = smaller opening + less light.


However (and this is the intersting part), aperture also plays a role in depth of field.  Depth of field determines how much of your image will be in focus. 


Low f/stop = smaller area of focus
High f/stop = larger area of focus


So if you are taking a portrait of a piece of fruit, and you want the background to be soft so that the focus stands out, you need a lower f/stop, or lower aperture setting.


If you want to take a portrait of a basketball team and you want the back row to be as clear and crisp as the front row, you need a higher f/stop, or higher aperture setting.


The trick in either situation is to have the right amount of light to get the results you need.


I could go on and on forever, but we're going to stop here for now.  Here is your assignment for today's theme.


1.  Find one item in your kitchen that you'd like to photograph (or another room if you so choose).  This item will be your "subject".


2.  Place it on an open space, like a counter top, and then place a few more random objects behind it. Perhaps they are items that are different shapes, heights and/or colors. Or, you could even use a simple backsplash.


3.  Be creative, and organize whatever you choose in a pleasing way.  I'd recommend that your item in front maybe be a little shorter than the items in your background if possible, just so that you can see them in your pictures.


4.  Take 3 pictures.


Picture #1:  Choose a higher aperture setting for your camera will realistically allow.  That would often be around f/22, but things like ambient light, your flash and/or your lens will all determine this.   Focus on your subject.  Your entire image, or most of it, should be in focus. Even the items in the background. Write down your camera settings from this image.  Shutter speed, aperture and ISO.

Coffee and Fruit:  f/8.0 Shutter 1/50 ISO 400

The highest f/stop I could choose was f/8.0 because of low light in my kitchen in the early morning.  I also had to bump up my ISO because I did not want to use flash.  However, even at f/8.0 you can see that the plate of fruit in the background is relatively sharp, and it's about 18" behind the coffee mug.  


The photos on the wall and the blinds etc, WAY behind aren't in focus (and they shouldn't be), but you can still pick out the detail.


Picture #2: Now, adjust your aperture so that it is at around 5.6 - 6.0 if possible.  Again, focus on your subject.  It should be in focus, and you should see that the items in the background are slightly blurred or out of focus. Write down your camera settings.

Coffee and Fruit:  f/4.0 Shutter 1/50 ISO 400

At f/4.0, there is a really nice blur to the background.  The fruit is less sharp than in the first version, but has a nice blur to it.  It makes the coffee mug "pop" nicely.  If you look at the prints hanging on the wall in the background (left) you can see the difference in their shape vs the first picture as well.


Picture #3:  Lastly, adjust your aperture to it's LOWEST setting.  How low you can set it will depend on your particular lens / camera.  For some, you won't be able to go below 5.6.  If so, just take the picture and document it as such.  For others, you might be able to get down to 4.0 or maybe even 2.8.  Record your camera settings.

f/1.6 Shutter 1/80 ISO 400

In image #3, you can see a lot more blur in the fruit.  The coffee cup still pops, but at an f/stop of 1.6, not even the entire coffee cup is sharp, so I would say that the f/stop here was too low for the subject.


When you upload these pictures, please be sure to include your camera settings with each picture, and tell me which one you like the best and why.


Any questions, just holla!

MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days Photo Challenge - Day 17 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Of course it goes without saying that WEATHER is the perfect theme for today's challenge. 

I took some pictures today when we were out snow blowing and shoveling snow late this afternoon.  Our neighbor was kind enough to come over and help.  Here are our kids (mostly my daughter) having a bit of fun with the stream of snow from the snow plow.  Make sure you look at the last picture. 

I quickly ran indoors and grabbed my camera to get these shots.  I wish I would have had a few extra seconds to prepare.  I would have paid more attention to my white balance, and perhaps would have thrown a flash on my camera.  

I KNOW that many of you have been taking snow pictures today, so please post them!  I think you can post them right on the MEP page! 

We'd love to see them. 

Maris

MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 16 | Maris Ehlers Photography

I'm really quite excited about today's theme.  It took me a while to come up with it, but I think you'll like it.  Today you can post a picture that you have taken outside of the timeframe of the photo challenge.  

What is the theme?  FAVORITE 

Please post a picture that you have taken in the last year (or so - I won't be picky) that is your absolute favorite.  You know, the one that when you first looked at it you were nearly giddy because it was a picture that you took.  

Don't forget to post them.  Tagging on facebook isn't working very well, so please come share them on the Patch as well.  

While it is so hard for me to choose a favorite of mine, I would have to say the pictures with the Maple Grove Senior High School Hockey Captains this last summer is at the top.  It was such a different style of shooting for me, and something that could have been a disaster (no lights in the rink), ended up working out fantastically well thanks to off camera flash and a great intern.  

You can see more images from this senior session at:  

Hockey Players - Part I

Hockey Players - Part II

MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 15 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Today’s theme is CIRCLES.  My daughter actually came up with this one, and I think it’s a cool idea. 

Stepping back with your camera and taking photographs of elements of things can be a great way to add uniqueness and style to your photography.  

Circles exist everywhere, and can be either a simple element in a scene, a repeating pattern, or a profusion of of intersections where a group of them overlap. 

Today I'd like you to find some interesting circles in your world and capture them and post.  

If you'd like some inspiration, check out this Pinterest search I did for circles for ideas. 

I am a complete coffee junkie.  I had a little "spill" today, and so the resulting circles are what I chose to photograph today.

Bonus if you guess where I got my coffee today.  Ha! Easiest pop quiz question EVER!

If you want to participate in previous days of the MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days, here are the links to the appropriate posts:

Day 14
Day 13
Day 12
Day 11
Day 10
Day 9
Day 8
Day 7 - I was sick so didn't post on the blog, but did on FB, etc.  Theme:  Spirituatlity. 
Day 6
Day 5
Day 4
Day 3
Day 2
Day 1

MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 14 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Sunday is a day for food and family at our house, so I thought it would be a great day to have FOOD as today's theme.

Fresh, cooked, alive, dried.  People enjoying it, someone preparing it, someone sharing it. Whatever inspires you is what we want to see!

I took the liberty of including wine in the "food" category.  This image was taken with a Lesbaby MUSE lens.

Heads' up on tomorrow theme:  CIRCLES

MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 13 | Maris Ehlers Photography

Since it's Saturday, it's only fitting that today's theme be FREETIME.  As such, I am enjoying a little free time myself today, so am not including a picture with today's post.

MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 12

Today is all about taking pictures of things or people that make you HAPPY.

Here's a picture I took today that makes me really quite happy.

Addy - 1 Year

30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 11

Today I want you to challenge your photographic skills with your… cell phone camera!  Whether you use an iphone, droid, blackberry or a flip phone, let's see what you got!

One app that I do love (for iphone only, unfortunately) is instagram.  It's awesome and is available in the app store.  It can make anyone feel like a photographer!  They have a ever expanding list of edits that you can do in one click, and it can really change your image!

You can make prints, postcards, magnets and even books out of your instagram images.  It's really quite fascinating.

I have included a few of my favorites.  Several of which my kids have taken.  Which is a hint for a future day in this challenge.  :)

Photographers Love Sun Flares - My  7 Year Old Son Took This One Last Year. 

Here is a link to their blog. It's well worth the visit and the download if you don't have it. They'll give you all sorts of ideas! It's very inspirational and better yet, you can follow your friends and people of interest on it as well.

So today there is no theme other than it has to be a cell phone picture or pictures…  BE original!

A (6) Took This Picutre of a Pinwheel at a Child's Grave at a Cemetery

And remember, you can jump in on any day, and you can even go back and post image(s) for previous days!

No pressure.  Just fun.

I took this of Rugie Boogie this morning.  You can see the original below. 

The Crabapple Tree in our Front Yard

My Son Took This Picture.  I love it because it is how he sees the basket above him.  

A Enjoying a Lego Display.

One of A Last Year Walking to the Kindergarten Bus (At Noon)

If you want to participate in previous days of the MEP 30 Pictures in 30 Days, here are the links to the appropriate posts:

Day 10
Day 9
Day 8
Day 7 - I was sick so didn't post on the blog, but did on FB, etc.  Theme:  Spirituatlity.
Day 6
Day 5
Day 4
Day 3
Day 2
Day 1

30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 10

Now that you've had a chance to recover from Day 9 (Self Portrait), let's tackle Day 10.  It's time to focus on a color as a theme.  Today, find something yellow to photograph.  It can be the subject of your photo.  Or not.  It can be a lot or a little, but your picture should in some way be about the color yellow (sunlight is a great option, too).

30 Pictures in 30 Days - Day 9

Ok, gang.  This one is really a challenge.  The theme for Day 9 is "Self-Portrait".

Remember that a self portrait doesn't necessarily mean that you have to take a headshot of yourself.  Be creative, think about a way to take a picture of at least part of yourself that really describes something about you, and as always… have fun!

Self Portrait - I like this image I snapped with my phone because it totally reflects my shyness in front of the camera.  I'm much more confident behind it.