Planning to Not Plan
Dear Bubbles: How much planning do you do before you go on a photo shoot? ~Doug Dear Doug, Because it’s fresh in my mind and representative of how I plan for most of my outings, I’ll offer how I approached…
Shoot for the Stars
Dear Bubbles: How do you photograph stars? Any time I try to, I just get a black frame…help! ~In the Dark Dear In the Dark: During junior high school, any time my family went on vacation, I’d pick out a…
Trying on for Size
Dear Bubbles: In the depth of field calculator app, “distance-to-subject” is required. What’s the best way to take that measurement?” ~Karen Dear Karen: Of the various variables any depth of field (DOF) calculator app asks for, “distance-to-subject” is the hardest…
Movin’ and Shakin’
Dear Bubbles: In one of your earlier posts, you suggested you “switched into Intentional Camera Movement mode.” What is that? Is that an option on my camera? If so, where would I find it? ~Ashley Dear Ashley: I’m sorry. I’ve…
Mind Those Corners
Dear Bubbles: I’m sorting and beginning to edit my Grand Canyon rafting pictures. On some of my pictures, I’m seeing edge tunneling. It could have been the neutral density/polarizing filter. Is there a simple explanation for this? ~Hank Dear Hank:…
Clearing the Dust
Dear Bubbles: How do you clean your camera sensor? Do you clean it yourself or take it somewhere? And how often do you do it? ~Dusty Dan Dear Dusty Dan, How do I clean my camera sensor? Verrrrrrry, very…
A Slice of Color
Dear Bubbles: You noted that for web use [of your photographs], you change the color space to sRGB. What color space are using for your TIF files? And why? ~Shirley Dear Shirley, Correct, the photos I share online, all JPEGs, in are…
Bursting with Light
Dear Bubbles: You recently posted a picture of a sun with rays coming out of it but you could see detail in the foreground too. How did you do that? I’ve tried to shoot into the sun before, but my…
Choose Wisely
Dear Bubbles: I’ve been told to never shoot at f/16 or f/22. I noticed that you seem to do it all the time. What am I missing? Should I or shouldn’t I shoot at those apertures? ~Audrey Dear Audrey: As…
Process on Processing
Dear Bubbles: How much post-processing do you do on your photos? ~Patty Dear Patty: How much post-processing do I do on my photos? None. How much processing do I do on my photos? As is the answer to most questions…
Don’t Go Astray on a Bokeh
Dear Bubbles: In your post last week, you said something about a “bokeh effect.” What is a bokeh effect? I’ve never heard of it before. Thanks. ~Andy Dear Andy, The word “bokeh” originates from the Japanese word “boke” which means…
Seeds of Inspiration
Dear Bubbles: What photographers inspire you (dead or alive)? And can you throw in one that is not a landscape photographer just to shake it up and see what those marbles in your brain are up to? Is there a…
Micro Difference Between Macro and Close-Up
Dear Bubbles: Is there really a difference between macro and close-up photography? ~Libba Dear Libba: Macro and close-up are often used interchangeably in the photography world. They both mean recording subjects at close distances with a camera. What separates them…
Becoming an AIR
Dear Bubbles: I understand that you’ve been an artist-in-residence at Acadia multiple times. I am a photographer and an avid fan of the national parks. I am interested in applying to the AIR program. Could you tell me what the…
Lust of the Mind
Dear Bubbles: Freeman Patterson said, “There’s only one rule in photography—never develop color film in chicken noodle soup.” Discuss. ~Guy Dear Guy, Freeman Patterson, who lives in New Brunswick, Canada, is one of my favorite modern-day nature photographers. I received…
Expand Your View
Dear Bubbles: In one of your webinars, you mentioned photographing a panorama. I’ve never tried to do a panorama photograph but want to. I think you said to turn the camera vertically, but I’m not sure I heard you right.…
Take vs. Create
Dear Bubbles: Why do you create photos? ~Ramen Dear Ramen: I’ve offered insights into my motivations for why I photograph previously in an earlier Dear Bubbles column (“If No One Saw Your Photos”). Given your emphasis on the word “create,”…
Real Photographer
Dear Bubbles, I am really enjoying the fun and simplicity of taking photos with my iPhone 11Pro. It’s always with me, I am taking way more photos and the quality is excellent (and I can shoot in raw too).…
Restoring Balance
Dear Bubbles: Can you settle this once and for all: does setting the white balance affect a RAW image? ~Jeff Dear Jeff: It’s complicated. No and yes, which is why we’re easily confused… Let’s start with what RAW is. It’s…
The Impossibility of Creativity
Dear Bubbles: Why is the creative stuff so darn difficult? ~Mark Dear Mark: It sure feels hard sometimes, doesn’t it? Early on in my photography career, I spent much of my time photographing iconic scenes around the southwestern United States.…
Help-U Haiku
Dear Bubbles, Rumor has it you have your workshop participants write haiku’s. Is this true? If so, could you tell me how doing this would help my photography? ~Intrigued Dear Intrigued: A haiku in response: My cover is blown! Words…
Get a Move On
Dear Bubbles: I’m a little embarrassed to ask, but here goes anyway: how do you get the water to look so soft in your pictures? ~Inquiring Minds Want to Know Dear Inquiring Minds Want to Know: First off, under no…
Taking Control
Dear Bubbles: I shoot all of my landscape photos on Av mode. I saw a meme on Facebook recently that said, “Everyone’s a photographer until Manual.” How do you feel about this? I’m not sure I’m ready to go to…
Something Different
Dear Bubbles: I love Dear Bubbles. It’s always so thoughtful and thorough. But I have to ask (in jest): are you capable of writing anything short? ~Can’t Keep Up Dear Can’t Keep Up, Yes. Be well, be wild, ~Bubbles Have…
