instructional, photography, workshop

Macro From Nothing

This technique can be used with most lenses, but please be careful not to scratch front element!

It’s always better to give yourself more control with an actual macro, but if you get in a bind, this may help.

— andrew

the amazing music is by Lucius
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If you are interested in learning more about photography, taking your art to a new level please check out my new workshop dates:
 
Grand Teton Photographic Tour/ Workshops 2014
More Destination Photo Tours/ Workshops 2014
 
If you are interested in licensing any of the images/ video from this post, please visit my stock agency:
 
Tandem Stills + Motion // andrew r. slaton
 
If you are interested in purchasing prints from this post, please check my prints for sale, or email me directly for a custom request:
 
andrew r. slaton // photographer // prints
 
For assignment work requests, please email me: andrew@andrewslatonphoto.com
 
Thanks for visiting AndrewSlatonBlog.com!
 
all images and content © ARS Media, LLC 2014
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photography, random thought

Daring to Begin

All glory comes from daring to begin.

— Eugene Fitch Ware

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What does it take to be a “doer”?

Let’s be honest, it doesn’t take much.

Not a lot of brains or money, or even talent…

It just takes a little bit of courage.

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Well… here’s to a little bit of courage….

Happy Friday, my friends. May we all dare to begin today.

— andrew

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If you are interested in learning more about photography, taking your art to a new level please check out my new workshop dates:
 
Grand Teton Photographic Tour/ Workshops 2014
More Destination Photo Tours/ Workshops 2014
 
If you are interested in licensing any of the images/ video from this post, please visit my stock agency:
 
Tandem Stills + Motion // andrew r. slaton
 
If you are interested in purchasing prints from this post, please check my prints for sale, or email me directly for a custom request:
 
andrew r. slaton // photographer // prints
 
For assignment work requests, please email me: andrew@andrewslatonphoto.com
 
Thanks for visiting AndrewSlatonBlog.com!
 
all images and content © ARS Media, LLC 2014
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composition, photography

Layering // Landscapes

If you’ve seen my work, you know that I love negative space.  And in landscapes, that often means lots of sky.

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It’s a more fine art look. Where the sky is an actor in the play. Usually dramatic clouds, color, and or celestial bodies give weight and relevance to the otherwise vast expanse of negative space.

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But that’s not the “postcard” look.  The more I shoot for stock, the more I’ve learned to layer my landscapes to give them more dimension and a greater sense of depth.

It’s a very basic concept, that to many of you is a “duh”.  But it wasn’t to me.  I learned to shoot from feeling; to convey deep emotions and artistic expression.  And the way that manifests often times in my work, is with a very two dimensional feel where the depth is stripped away and the viewer is left with light, color, and basic shape.

Neither way is better than the other.  Some people have an eye for the 3-D postcard, and others, the 2-D expression.

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I have had to learn to see the postcard. And I’m really enjoying the challenge of seeing in this new way.  It sounds simple, but it’s oh so interestingly complicated… to frame a balanced and compelling photograph that incorporates all three elements: foreground, middle ground, background.

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These three elements working together, with lines leading the viewer into the image, colors complimenting one another, and light dancing and playing makes for a supremely sellable image.

And I would argue, that beyond the sellable, if you can also incorporate the artistic expression, you have made truly great art.

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Those are the kind of images I’m striving to make.

— andrew

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If you are interested in learning more about photography, taking your art to a new level please check out my new workshop dates:
 
Grand Teton Photographic Tour/ Workshops 2014
More Destination Photo Tours/ Workshops 2014
 
If you are interested in licensing any of the images/ video from this post, please visit my stock agency:
 
Tandem Stills + Motion // andrew r. slaton
 
If you are interested in purchasing prints from this post, please check my prints for sale, or email me directly for a custom request:
 
andrew r. slaton // photographer // prints
 
For assignment work requests, please email me: andrew@andrewslatonphoto.com
 
Thanks for visiting AndrewSlatonBlog.com!
 
all images and content © ARS Media, LLC 2014
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landscape, nature, photography, workshop

The Great BIG Bend Giveaway

How would you like to join me on my new Big Bend Workshop in April…. FOR FREE??

Well, you could be the lucky one to win The Great BIG Bend Giveaway, and receive free tuition for our April 24-27, 2014 workshop!

Simply fill out the short form below.  A random drawing will be held and the winner announced on February 15.

You are also welcome to simply email us directly at workshops@andrewslatonphoto.com to enter yourself, or to confirm your entry… we would love to hear from you, so drop us a line!

AND DON’T WORRY, WE NEVER EVER SHARE YOUR INFORMATION WITH ANYONE ELSE!

So hurry and sign up… and don’t forget to SHARE with all your photo-phile friends!!  Oh yeah, P.S… once you’ve signed up, if you share on Facebook, your name gets entered again!  Twice the chance to WIN!! :)

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What’s Included if you win – Four days/ three nights packed with photography, instruction, and adventure in Big Bend National Park, plus more!

  • Pre-workshop Personal Skype Session – Before all of our destination workshops, you can benefit from a personal Q&A Skype session at your convenience with Andrew, to ask any questions you might have about your upcoming trip.  This is immensely helpful to gat to know your instructor, and to making sure you feel prepared for the great adventure ahead!
  • Welcome Packet – You will receive your personalized welcome packet 2-6 weeks before the workshop with maps, helpful local info, nature facts, FAQ’s, technical photography information on what we will be discussing, a comprehensive list of what to bring, and more.
  • Park Related Fees – We believe in and support our National Parks system, so we are proud Commercial Use Authorization Permit holders with Big Bend National Park!  This provides us good standing with the Park and the rangers, and it helps to fund fantastic conservation projects that would not be possible without special use educators and their students!  So a portion of your tuition goes right back to help protect the park you love!
  • Numerous Guided Hikes – We will embark on at least one hike per day through the intensely beautiful landscape of the Chihuahuan Desert and the Chisos Mountains.  We will explore the myriad flora and fauna of both ecosystems, shooting anything and everything in nature, discussing a wide range of photographic tips and techniques.
  • Night Photography – You’ll get very used to your siestas on this trip, as we will spend the first hour or two before sunrise and after sundown navigating the exciting night sky with our cameras.  We will discuss and execute several techniques including night landscapes, star trails, painting with light, and more!
  • 3 Nights Camping, water, and snacks – Other lodging is available at the expense of the student.  But If camping is your thing, then you will enjoy all three nights of group camping in the park with Andrew, giving you extra time to talk about photography!  All you need is to bring your own camping gear!  Regardless of if you choose to camp or stay at a nearby hotel, plenty of bottled water and snacks throughout the day will be provided.

Transportation to and from Big Bend National Park, lodging (other than group camping), meals, and anything else not listed above is the responsibility of the student.  If winner opts out of the April 24-27, 2014 trip, winner forfeits his or her prize, unless otherwise agreed upon by Slaton.

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If you are interested in learning more about photography, taking your art to a new level please check out my new workshop dates:Big Bend Photographic Tour/ Workshops 2014More Destination Photo Tours/ Workshops 2014If you are interested in licensing any of the images/ video from this post, please visit my stock agency:Tandem Stills + Motion // andrew r. slaton

If you are interested in purchasing prints from this post, please check my prints for sale, or email me directly for a custom request:

andrew r. slaton // photographer // prints

For assignment work requests, please email me: andrew@andrewslatonphoto.com

Thanks for visiting AndrewSlatonBlog.com!

all images and content (except otherwise attributed) © andrew r. slaton | photographer 2014
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city, composition, photography

san francisco // from every angle

How creative do you get with the same subject?

It can be challenging, but I always try to push myself to see all the angles, different qualities of light, and unending compositions that I can create with my camera.

Last week, my subject was the city of San Francisco… and here are a few of my favorites.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

I hope this gets you thinking about your next subject and how to explore it photographically.

And  wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!  Hope to see you all in 2014!

all images and content © andrew r. slaton | photographer 2013

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