This year try to think out of the box. I think the key here is the use of your flash. Direct on-camera flash is the worst light known to mankind. Any thing that you can do to soften, mix, or diffuse your camera flash will improve images. If you have a flash that allows you to rotate the flash head, point it at the ceiling. You can also strap a white 4x6 recipe card on the top of the flash which will kick in a little direct flash.

 

If you are stuck with your camera's pop-up flash try mixing the flash light-source with the ambient light in the room.  Your camera manual may tell you to use your flash at the reccomended shutter speed, but in reality you can use it at the reccomended sync speed (usually around 1/125th of a second) or any shutter speed slower. This means that with the camera in Manual Exposure Mode you can use a shutter speed of 1/30, 1/2, one second, or even longer. Adding some camera movement during a long exposure can add an extra element of pizazz to the image, it can also camouflage those extra holiday pounds.

 

Be creative, take some chances. While I always take a certian number of "safe" images I also take the oportunties to experiment and see what I can come up with. Good luck and have fun.

 

John Gregor

 

Are you looking for something romantic and different this winter? President's Day weekend Feb 15-17th Waterfront Gallery has teamed up with Larsmont Cottages  to offer this luxurious and romantic weekend. The weekend includes:

 

2-Night Stay at Larsmont Cottages (http://www.larsmontcottages.com/cottages.htm)Check-In Friday Feb 15, Check-out Sunday Feb 17, extra nights available.

 

Saturday Feb 16, 4:00pm "Tuscan Dream" gallery talk by John and Val. Covering topics from using natural light to travel photography tips. John and Val will review their work hanging at Waterfront Gallery (www.waterfront-gallery.com.) The gallery talk will be followed by a wine and cheese reception where you can chat individually with the artists.

 

Saturday Feb 16, evening. Following the events at the gallery you can relax and enjoy a candlelight dinner at the Ledge Rock Grille, one of the best restaurants on the Northshore. Reservation time is at your discretion.

 

Sunday Feb 17, check-out or extend your stay for the long weekend and enjoy some outdoor activities in the area.

 

Costs are based on double occupancy and include 2 night stay, dinner for two (soup or salad, entree', and one non-alcoholic beverage), gallery talk, wine and cheese reception.

 

Suite Bedroom  $595

Deluxe One-Bedroom Cottage $795

 

This special offering is only available by booking through Waterfront Gallery. For more information or to reserve your weekend call the gallery at (218) 834-0756.

2-Day Workshops:

"The Art of Seeing Photographically"                     Des Moines, IA                   April 19-20

"The Art of Seeing Photographically"   Bloomington, MN          May 3-4

 

4-Day Field/Lab Workshops:

"Digital Spring Color"   Two Harbors,MN               June 19-22

"Digital Fall Color"        Two Harbors, MN             October 2-5

5-Day Field Workshops:

"The Minnesota Roadtrip"   Effie, MN                            July 23-27

8-Day Field Workshops

"Tuscany, Italy"              Italy                          September 6-13

4-Day Computer Lab Workshops:

"Black & White Fine Art Digital Printing"                                                        

Two Harbors, MN         January 30-Feb 3

 

 "Lightroom to Photoshop,

 the Complete Digital Workflow"                         

Two Harbors, MN      February 28-March 2

 

"The Digital Image and Fine Art Printing"       

Two Harbors, MN       March 13-16

 

"The Digital Image and Fine Art Printing"                   

Two Harbors, MN       November 13-16

"The Scanned Image and Fine Art Printing"                 

Two Harbors, MN        November 20-23

For more information go to www.coldsnap.com