Second day at Grand Canyon National Park.
American Road Trip Journal #28: Grand Canyon (part II)
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Editing
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When Amstrad launched its word processor 30 years ago, writers were initially resistant – processing was for peas, not words. But many soon saw the benefits of life without Tipp-Ex.
I'd bet that there are very few writers today neglecting the advantages of the backspace key.
Almost two hundreds years have passed since photography was born, and yet many still see editing as something evil.
The book is the destination. The image is the goal. The tools you use to make your art don't matter.
How to take a long exposure
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We already know what a long exposure is and why this technique is so awesome. And we know the camera gear and equipment we need. In this week's chapter, we'll talk about how to actually use that gear to take a long exposure.
I'll show you how I take a long exposure with my Sony a6500 step by step. The controls on your camera might have a different name, but the process should be pretty similar. If you have any questions, leave a comment or contact me.
Read MoreListening to destructive criticism
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I've grown used to destructive criticism. I've got a lot of it since I quit my job 10 months ago to pursue a career as a professional artist.
I usually dismiss it and carry on.
One day, Person A -let's call them that way- was trying to discourage me and asked a question:
"You say photography is your job... Do you work 8 hours a day then?".
They weren't looking for an answer, but to diminish what I was doing. Those are the ways of destructive criticism.
I couldn't dismiss it this time, though.
It was true: I wasn't putting the hours. I was definitely getting out and making images, but starting a photography business requires so much more than that.
From that day on, I've been working 12+ hours a day on my photography, 7 days a week.
Even though some people will try to ridicule what you do, the way you take their words is up to you. Use them to your advantage if you can; discard and forget them if you cannot.
The key to making great art
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Photography requires -almost- no technical skills anymore. Modern cameras are able to perfectly expose a scene most of the time.
That alone doesn't make good images, though.
What is it, then? What's the difference between greatness and mediocrity in photography?
Talent -as in a naturally given ability to appreciate beauty- plays a role in this.
A lack of talent can be overcome, though, by anyone who possesses what I believe is the key to great art: passion.
While technical skills and talent can give a photographer a head start, only passion will bring them beyond the point where photographers without it can't go.
Monday's Random Thought, Links and Updates, Volume #1
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Today has been a busy day, Mondays always are.
I didn't have any time to write anything profound for today, so I just came up with a new weekly thing called Monday Random Thoughts, Links and Updates, and this is volume number 1.
Read MoreWhy I started an IGTV (Instagram TV) channel
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During the last few days, I've been trying **IGTV** (Instagram TV) as a possible (and yet another one) outlet to share my work.
When it first launched a few months ago, I was very skeptical. I still am, but after playing with it for a bit I can see its huge potential.
So far, I’ve released 4 videos on my IGTV channel and I’m liking what I’m seeing.
Read MoreThe X Projects
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Every once in a while, I have an idea for a project and work on it for a few hours or days. Then I realize that those images (or videos) I created don't really fit in with the rest of my work, and discard them. Well, not happening anymore.
Introducing The X Projects, a jumble where any weird, odd and probably wrong idea I have will find its place to live forever and ever.
Read MoreRoll #219: Bronica SQ-Ai + Ilford HP5
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Another video where I show all 12 shots from a roll of Ilford HP5, this time roll number #219. Taken with the Bronica SQ-Ai, shot and developed at ASA 800 (+1 push stop) with Rodinal (1+50).
Read MoreDrop shipping: how to sell your prints to and from anywhere in the world
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I believe images are meant to be hung on a wall, and I wanted mine to fulfill that destiny. My semi-nomadic lifestyle didn’t allow me to do this for a long time, until I figured out a way to do it using drop shipping services.
Read MoreHiking to Pena Trevinca
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After struggling on my hike in Somiedo a few months ago, I decided that it was enough. I had had a terrible winter: I didn't exercise and I ate and drank way too much; I had gotten fat and out of shape.
So I challenged myself and set some goals.
Climbing to Pena Trevinca was one of them. The highest peak in Galicia raises to 2,127 meters (7,000 feet) above sea level. That might not sound like much, but it would be a nearly impossible task for fat Adrian to achieve.
Read MoreAmerican Road Trip Journal #27: Grand Canyon
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The adventure continues! This time, I visit the Grand Canyon National Park for the first time.
Even after seeing the Redwoods and being at places like Death Valley and the Canadian Rockies, this place made me feel really, really small. An impressive sight, worth a visit.
Open the post to watch the video.
Read MoreCamera Gear and Equipment for Long Exposure Photography
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This is the second chapter of a series about Long Exposure Photography. A new post is published every Wednesday.
Camera gear matters. And when it comes to Long Exposure Photography, it matters even more.
Whatever camera we use (it could be a phone or a 8x10 large format camera), we need to be able to control the shutter speed and increase it for extended periods of time.
The greater control you have, the better.
Now, there are still ways to shoot long exposures even if we can't control the shutter speed. We'll talk about those too.
Read MoreRoll #218: Bronica SQ-Ai + Ilford HP5
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In this video (and contact sheet), I show all 12 shots from Roll #218. Taken with the Bronica SQ-Ai on Ilford HP5 film, shot and developed at ASA 400 (box speed) with Rodinal (1+50).
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Do not dump your Rodinal down the sink
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You might know that I've recently set up a new darkroom after leaving all my equipment in the US. As part of this new setup, I got some **Rodinal** to try as my new developer. And I made a mistake.
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How to prevent your Epson scanner (v550, v600...) from pausing between images when scanning multiple photos
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If you have an Epson scanner, you already know which annoying bug I’m talking about. Today, I think I’ve fixed it! This is how.
Read MoreWhy I don't care if my images are stolen
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Recently, I got asked something I hadn't been asked in a long time:
"what happens if instead of buying a print from you, someone downloads a photo from your website and prints it?"
My answer was: "I don't care". This is why.
Read MoreEveryone is afraid
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A lot of photographers struggle with their photography. Many are afraid of sharing their work, as a tour guide in Antelope Canyon, Arizona, told me. I realized that in a different way, I was afraid too. What can we do about it?
Read MoreBest Cable Release
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The first thing I bought after purchasing my Bronica SQ-Ai (even before the film!) was a threaded cable release. For a photographer who loves long exposure photography, it's a must-have.
If you have used them in the past, you might know they can be a bit of pain: they are always getting lost, and they seem to break easier than an egg.
After a few disappointing purchases and following some wise advice, I finally got one that I love.
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Homemade Pinhole Lens for the Sony a6000
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I love playing around with different photographic techniques and camera gear to create stuff.
Cameras like the Holga, pinhole cameras or techniques like long exposures are fascinating to me. As I've mentioned before, they open a door to a world that you can imagine, and with a little bit of luck, capture with your camera.
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