I learned From That

One of the most valuable tools in life is learning from our mistakes. Sometimes retrospectively we would have preferred to learn in another way. However, a hard learned lesson is like a gift that keeps on giving, you remember these lessons long after you've made the mistake.

If you haven't already read my blog I posted on May 9, 2009 ("Composition and Position are Very Important") do. But just to summarize, so this will help create the connection; while on self assignment photographing the Green Hawaiian Sea Turtle, another opportunity presented itself and I failed to take complete advantage of the situation. My composition was correct but my positioning was not where I would liked to have been.

The photographs shown above illustrate what I'm trying to convey. The first being my initial shot, and the second a redo at a later time and date, show similarities but are very different in my positioning. In the first photograph the top right 1/3rd edge of the photograph you can see a small portion of the cross beam high line wire pole. I erased the high line wires using photoshop, but as you can see this was not necessary had I positioned myself in a different spot.

With that said I do like my second photograph but the first photograph was taken during a hazy day which added to the character of the photograph. unfortunately this was something I could not duplicate in the second photograph.

I learned from that, "Lessons Learned Continue to Teach". As always please make any comments or observations on this or any of my blogs. Happy photographing!

I Learned From That

Do you often find the need to balance your everyday life with your passion for photography? Photography runs through my blood and the longer I do it the more passionate I become. But I need to balance that, with the fact I do have a life outside of photography. So where does that fine line begin and end? I'm really not sure at this point but I do need to define it.

Recently while out on the town with my wife we went to an event in Honolulu's China Town called, "First Friday". It's an event for artist to display their art work and a chance for the public to interact with the artists. As we were strolling from one place to another I realized that at times as photographers we need to step away from the camera and be an observer.

I often here the phrase the best camera is the one you have with you. I always carry my camera with me in my car but at times when I'm not in my car I may not take it with me. Subconsciously I'm thinking did I make the right decision.

With that said, I am by no way the premiere expert on photography. However, just as in anything a person does in life they need to do what works for them. This allowed me to take some mental notes yet enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings.

Being creative is a very special talent but to do it consistently is even more special. I find inspiration from other artists be they painter, sculptures, or some other form; but I still need to find ways to stimulate my creativity. I think I may have found another tool to add to my bag.

I returned to China Town to photograph the small mural I took notice of, painted on the outside wall, of a seedy looking bar. Sometimes we need to step away from the camera. I learned from that!

I Learned From That

Imagine taking a photograph of a nice scenic location, or an object, and saying to yourself; I really like this shot. Only later you discover when you download your pictures, that it's either not the way you envisioned it, or something is in the picture that is very distracting.

This happened to me recently when I went to my favorite photo spot on the Island of Oahu, Laniakea Beach. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii. I go to Laniakea for three reasons, first it's my get out of a slump location, and the other two is for the beautiful sunsets, and the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.

Although I've been to Laniakea many times I still find something different to shoot. The picture I posted I actually stumbled across while photographing some sea turtles. I was trying different angles and trying to compose the best possible shot I could muster. As I was finalizing my last shots for the day, I looked inland from the beach, and saw this tree. It reminded me of the trees you see in an African Safari setting.

I got so excited that I immediately started to click away. Although there were a few obvious things that I didn't want in the picture, such as a house located nearby, I failed to notice the high line wires. One of the most critical aspects of photography is the framework of your photograph. What do you want in the photograph.

Ideally a photographer wants to stand back and look at what you are photographing, looking from different angels, and visualizing how you want the photograph to look. This will allow you to get the feel of how you want to compose the photograph and subdue any anxiety or excitement you have. Just as a side note, to supplement the composition, positioning is also paramount.

Even though I was able to use photoshop to eliminate the high line wires, I was disappointed when I initially saw the picture. I try to get as close to what I want without having to do too much photoshop work at home.

I'll be returning to Laniakea to photography my African Safari tree but, with the knowledge of a lesson well learned, "Composition and Position are Very Important". I learned from that!

Please visit my website at dannylbaker.com and as always I hope you enjoy reading and learning from my blunders.

Happy photographing!

I Learned From That

  130.0mm 1/30 f/5.6 ISO 100                                                     

135.0mm 1/60 f/5.6 ISO 100

In Hawaii, we have many different cultures, that amazingly live in harmony; so I like to take advantage of the several festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. Although the Chinese New Year officially begins January 26, 2009, on January 24, 2009 Chinatown was celebrating the Chinese New Year; which by-the-way is the year of the Ox.

I grabbed my backpack and my wife in that order and headed to Chinatown. If you read my very first blog "Photographing Parades" I suggest scouting the area prior to the event taking place. But this was rather spontaneous. Because I live and work in Honolulu I am very familiar with the area; so it wasn't necessary for me to do this.

I quickly found a location that would be advantageous for me and immediately I began to prepare for the parade. I usually find a spot in front of the crowd, and get low because, most people are standing and photographing. 

In the short time I had to prepare I was checking the lighting, because in the late afternoon when the parade was being held the buildings block the sun. Also on this particular day it was cloudy. As a practice I normally leave the polarizing filter on the lens I was using.  However, after a photographing session I find I need to compensate 1 maybe 2 F/stops.

Although I know better, sometimes I tend to get too hasty and want to get right to work; and make the necessary adjustments after I download my photographs.  Leaving the filter on or not using a tripod/monopod, generally results in low quality photographs in low light situations. For whatever reason, I decided to remove my polarizing filter this time and I was quite pleased with the results. 

Most of my shots, the shutter speed was 80, and below. Anything less than 100 you either need a tripod/monopod, a lens with a stabilizer, or a very steady hand.  Had I failed to remove the polarizing filter I believe many of my shots would have been blurred because it's very difficult to use a tripod/monopod when things are constantly moving.  Even though I was using a Canon 28-135mm with an image stabilizer the results I believe would have been less than desirable.

From this experience I learned, follow your instincts, don't be hasty, and always put yourself in a position to get the best shot possible; even if it requires you to do a little extra work it's well worth the effort.

As always may all your photographs be what you want and if you have any comments or suggestions please submit them. You may also visit my website at www.dannylbaker.com

I Learned From That

I recently visited the Island of Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island. I was hoping to shoot star trails.  I had planned a trip to the Big Island because it's one of the best places in the world to view the solar system.  I chose Volcanoes National Park because of its' isolation and very little ambient light. I had previously done my homework and checked when the moon would rise and set at www.stardate.org

Unfortunately when I arrived the weather was not cooperating, it was rainy, and the cloud cover was not going to allow me to photograph star trails. I needed to refocus my efforts.

Because I was only staying for two nights and the first night was a bust, I crabbed something to eat.  I decided I would rise before the sun and possibly get a few sunrise shots.  Afterwards I would drive to the northern part of the Big Island and photograph Polulu Valley Lookout.

When I awoke, the weather had not changed and I contemplated not going out as I had planned. Fortunately I had followed the advice of a commonly heard phrase in Hawaii, "If the weather is not very good stick around for awhile and it will change".  Even though this has proven to be true more times than not on this particular day, it would seem things were not going my way.

As I made my way from Volcanoes National Park, through Hilo, and up the Hamakua Coast; I continued to doubt why I even made an effort to get out of bed.  The low cloud cover did not allow me to get a good sunrise shot, so I continued my journey north. 

When I arrived at Polulu Valley Lookout I was pleasantly surprised and glad I decided to get out of bed and make my way north.  I not sure if the horses are horses, or the donkeys are donkeys, but they're probably a combination of both; and they really added to the composition of the photographs. 

 Even tho the weather conditions were not in my favor for what I intended,  I initially began to doubt that I would be able to get some quality shots.  However my instincts told me to go.  I could have easily chosen not to go and my trip would have been a bust.  I'm glad I went and the thought of not going out to do what I love will not cross my mind again.

I learned from that!

Finally if you've made it this far please send any comments or suggestion and keep shooting.  I hope all your photographs are exactly what you wanted and most of all I hope you've learned from my mistakes and potential blunders.

I Learned From That

The New Year is just around the corner!  As I do every new year I silently vow to do something different, or change something I should, but haven't.  So, this New Year I'll be consistent with the past and I'll make a change.

In my previous blogs, I usually talked about photography in general, but nothing too technical, or in depth. This year I will talk about mistakes I've made and learned from, hence the name "I Learned From That". Basically, because I am not an instructor of photography, I think I can better serve those up and coming photographers and remind those that are professionals by sharing my blunders.

Recently while shooting the Honolulu city skyline I was doing all the right stuff, I thought. I arrived about an hour and thirty minutes before dusk, so I could take advantage of the late afternoon sun; which shines perfect on the skyline. This particular day was cloudy, but as the sunset lower it dropped below the clouds and worked its' magic.

As I walked up and down the harbor channel looking for a good spot, I was taking hand held shots, and occasionally mounting the camera on my tripod. I was using my Canon 70-300mm IS taking care to switch off the image stabilizer when I mounted my camera on the tripod.

After carefully selecting what I felt was the right spot, I set up shop. Although it wasn't extremely windy, there was a cool gentle ocean breeze flowing and I hadn't taken this in to account. My camera was mounted on my tripod to provide stability for low light situations thus allowing me to get clean focused shots.

After taking several shots I would pause and wait for the sun to set a little further, and take a few more shots; continuing this until I was satisfied that I had taken several quality photographs. 

Because I always leave the strap attached to my camera the wind became a factor. It was blowing strong enough to make the strap vibrate the tripod and occasionally hit the tripod legs. Usually not a problem, except for low light situations.

When the shutter speed is much slower, and the shutter remains open longer, it is very critical to ensure that the tripod is steady and nothing interferes like vibration. Satisfied with what I had I was off to the races.  If you've read my previous blogs you might remember, that I usually don't review my shots until I download them.  I do this because I believe it makes you a better photographer. 

When I downloaded my pictures I immediately began viewing the night shots and was somewhat dismayed because the majority of the photos were blurred. I am fortunate that I live in the same place that I took my photographs.  Although I will never be able to duplicate the lighting I will be able able to get similar shots and that will be sufficient for me.

The lesson I learned was very valuable, because had I been on some far away assignment, I probably wouldn't be able to get back to the same location anytime soon.  Next time I shoot in a similar situation I will remove the strap from my camera.

If you have any tips or have experienced similar situations pleas add your comments so all can benefit from lessons learned.  As always thanks for visiting my blog and please visit my website at www.dannylbaker.com

Christmas Lights

  (Honolulu City Lights Display at Honolulu Hale)

Have you every taken pictures of city lights at night and the sky is totally black? once you download the pictures it just doesn't look too appealing to me.  I took these photographs recently while waiting to meet my wife. 

I took advantage of this time while she was shopping. My intentions were to capture the Honolulu City Lights display just before darkness totally set in.  I call this the sweet spot.  You can see that there is still some blueness to the sky. I think this gives the picture added color while still being able to see the Christmas lights and background relatively clear.  If you notice the train with the smoke cascading from its' smoke stack gives the appearance that the train is moving. This is because the shutter speed was slow.

Although I did capture Santa Claus waving the Shaka sign (Shaka Sign is a hand gesture usually used in Hawaii as a greeting or to acknowledge kindness someone has shown you but is not limited to these two examples).   during daylight hours.  As a photographer you take advantage of every situation while on a self assignment or on any other assignment for that matter.

Overall it was fun and very rewarding and I think that's what it's all about just have fun. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year or Mele Kalikimaka and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Happy photographing and please send any comments or suggestion you may have.