Include the meta data when you export photos. That way, flickr will show some of this information with your photo.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Which Camera to Buy?
If you're buying your first camera and have a limited budget, buy something simple made by a major manufacturer.
In that case, go to a store and ask the clerk to show you cameras in your price range. Then select the one that seems to feel right in your hands.
In that case, go to a store and ask the clerk to show you cameras in your price range. Then select the one that seems to feel right in your hands.
Photo Files
I take photos for the following reasons.
1) Show the beauty of nature in my talks about Birds.
2) Dramatize lessons for better Nature Photography in my seminar on Nature Photography.
3) Document that I have seen a bird. (These photos go in my bird list database.)
4) Capture wildlife behavior so that I can study and thus better understand it.
5) Post samples of my photos on my flickr page or my blogs, such as (currently) OutTakes.
6) Experiment with creativity.
Now, how about you. What uses do you have for your photos?
1) Show the beauty of nature in my talks about Birds.
2) Dramatize lessons for better Nature Photography in my seminar on Nature Photography.
3) Document that I have seen a bird. (These photos go in my bird list database.)
4) Capture wildlife behavior so that I can study and thus better understand it.
5) Post samples of my photos on my flickr page or my blogs, such as (currently) OutTakes.
6) Experiment with creativity.
Now, how about you. What uses do you have for your photos?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Where to Focus
When taking photos of animals, focus on the eye. This must be sharp for an effective photo.
Of course, there are exceptions. In that case, focus on the part that best supports the story that you want to tell.
Of course, there are exceptions. In that case, focus on the part that best supports the story that you want to tell.
Labels:
bird photography,
photo tips,
photos,
wildlife photography
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Why Do You Take Photos
It's useful to know as much as possible about what you're doing. Then you can do it more deliberately.
So, give thought to the question: Why do you take photos?
Your purpose will determine the types of subjects that you photograph, as well as how you edit those photos.
So, give thought to the question: Why do you take photos?
Your purpose will determine the types of subjects that you photograph, as well as how you edit those photos.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Important Caution
If you take photos of young birds, be sure to stay a safe distance from them.
Approaching too close could interfere with the parents caring for the young birds. It might even cause the parents to abandon their chicks.
The point: Always treat nature with respect. Then you can return to take more photos.
Approaching too close could interfere with the parents caring for the young birds. It might even cause the parents to abandon their chicks.
The point: Always treat nature with respect. Then you can return to take more photos.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Photo Catalog System
Someone asked how I save my photos. So, here is my process.
1) I use a code to name them, which looks like: c110724xxx, where the "c" = Canon, "110724" is the date when the photo was taken using the format yymmdd, and "xxx" is the sequence number. Then I enter detailed descriptive data into the meta date list, which includes name of the subject, location where the photo was taken, a © statement, and key words.
2) I use Aperture (an Apple Mac application) to catalog my photos. Aperture saves photos in Libraries, which I name according to their general content. For example, I have libraries named, "Scenery_CA," Scenery_SW," "Birds," and so on.
3) I save only those photos that I want to keep. My guide is, "Would I ever want to show this photo to someone?" This means that I toss out over 90% of the photos that I take. The discarded photos are either duplicates or lower quality photos.
4) I organize the photos in each library into folders based on appropriate subtopics, such as "Bryce Canyon," "Cactus Flowers," and so on.
5) In each library I have a folder named, "Process" where I keep photos that are waiting to be catalogued.
6) I store the Aperture libraries on my computer's hard drive, and I save backups of these libraries on external hard drives. One such hard drive is kept in my office, the other is kept in a safe box at the bank. I swap these hard drives about once each week.
1) I use a code to name them, which looks like: c110724xxx, where the "c" = Canon, "110724" is the date when the photo was taken using the format yymmdd, and "xxx" is the sequence number. Then I enter detailed descriptive data into the meta date list, which includes name of the subject, location where the photo was taken, a © statement, and key words.
2) I use Aperture (an Apple Mac application) to catalog my photos. Aperture saves photos in Libraries, which I name according to their general content. For example, I have libraries named, "Scenery_CA," Scenery_SW," "Birds," and so on.
3) I save only those photos that I want to keep. My guide is, "Would I ever want to show this photo to someone?" This means that I toss out over 90% of the photos that I take. The discarded photos are either duplicates or lower quality photos.
4) I organize the photos in each library into folders based on appropriate subtopics, such as "Bryce Canyon," "Cactus Flowers," and so on.
5) In each library I have a folder named, "Process" where I keep photos that are waiting to be catalogued.
6) I store the Aperture libraries on my computer's hard drive, and I save backups of these libraries on external hard drives. One such hard drive is kept in my office, the other is kept in a safe box at the bank. I swap these hard drives about once each week.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Bird Photography
Bird photography requires optimism, more than expensive equipment.
That is, you go out believing that somehow, somewhere you will find a bird to photograph.
Negative expectations may keep you at home. And any camera is worthless when it's sitting on a shelf.
That is, you go out believing that somehow, somewhere you will find a bird to photograph.
Negative expectations may keep you at home. And any camera is worthless when it's sitting on a shelf.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Wonderful Evening for the Family
If you want a truly enjoyable evening for your family . . .
I'll be showing photos of birds and flowers at the Fullerton Arboretum on July 19, from 6 - 7 p.m.
Join us.
Details at: www.stevekayephoto.com
I'll be showing photos of birds and flowers at the Fullerton Arboretum on July 19, from 6 - 7 p.m.
Join us.
Details at: www.stevekayephoto.com
Take Better Photos
If you want to take better, more memorable nature photos, check this:
I'm conducting a half-day seminar at the Fullerton Arboretum on July 23, from 9 a.m. to noon.
You'll gain 45 years worth of experience in 3 hours.
This program is awesome. Bring a pad of paper and plan to take notes - lots of them.
Find details at: www.stevekayephoto.com
I'm conducting a half-day seminar at the Fullerton Arboretum on July 23, from 9 a.m. to noon.
You'll gain 45 years worth of experience in 3 hours.
This program is awesome. Bring a pad of paper and plan to take notes - lots of them.
Find details at: www.stevekayephoto.com
Why Females?
If you scan through the photos of birds on my flickr page you will notice something.
See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevekaye/
There are many photos of female birds.
Why?
Certainly, the males are (often) more colorful.
And yet, the females show a special, quiet beauty.
See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevekaye/
There are many photos of female birds.
Why?
Certainly, the males are (often) more colorful.
And yet, the females show a special, quiet beauty.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wonderful Photo Spot
The Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park in Chino, CA, offers a variety of habitats.
You'll find some interesting birds there, too, such as Yellow Warblers, Pied-billed Grebes, Common Moorhens, Ruddy Ducks, and Black-crowned Night-Herons.
Find more info at:
http://www.ieua.org/educations/park.html
You'll find some interesting birds there, too, such as Yellow Warblers, Pied-billed Grebes, Common Moorhens, Ruddy Ducks, and Black-crowned Night-Herons.
Find more info at:
http://www.ieua.org/educations/park.html
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Simplicity in Art
By keeping photos simple, you allow people to concentrate on the complexity of the beauty therein.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
5-Star Rating System for Photos
I rate my photos with a 5-Star System. Here's what it means.
1) An acceptable photo that captures the identity of a image.
2) A technically accurate description of something.
3) A technically accurate and interesting photo worthy of being shown to others.
4) An artistic photo that conveys beauty.
5) A work of art that speaks from my heart.
This system helps me catalog my photos. And it helps me seek photos that matter.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Current Photo Strategy
Question: What do you do after you have taken photos of all of the birds that visit a place?
Answer: Find new, more interesting photos of the same birds.
So, today I took photos of ducks.
I plan to use some of these photos in the talk that I'll be giving at the Fullerton Arboretum on July 19. ( Details )
Answer: Find new, more interesting photos of the same birds.
So, today I took photos of ducks.
I plan to use some of these photos in the talk that I'll be giving at the Fullerton Arboretum on July 19. ( Details )
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Bird List for July 3, 2011
Today I saw the following birds at Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Brea, CA.
Downy Woodpecker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Yellow-breasted Chat
Bewick’s Wren
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
California Towhee
Spotted Towhee
American Coot
Mourning Dove
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird
Mallard
Black Phoebe
Lesser Goldfinch
House Finch
Western Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
American Crow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Bushtit
Great Blue Heron
And I heard a California Quail.
All totaled, this was a good bird walk.
Downy Woodpecker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Yellow-breasted Chat
Bewick’s Wren
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
California Towhee
Spotted Towhee
American Coot
Mourning Dove
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird
Mallard
Black Phoebe
Lesser Goldfinch
House Finch
Western Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
American Crow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Bushtit
Great Blue Heron
And I heard a California Quail.
All totaled, this was a good bird walk.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Art
Reality is a blend of imperfections and beauty.
Remove the imperfections and you have a dull cartoon.
Reveal the beauty and you have a masterpiece.
Remove the imperfections and you have a dull cartoon.
Reveal the beauty and you have a masterpiece.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Fortune Cookies
All fortune cookies have this in common.
For example, last week I got:
"You will achieve uncommon success."
Most likely you have gotten similar fortunes.
Note that all of them are positive. None of them foretell gloom or doom.
Why?
People want good news.
So, live like a fortune cookie, creating good news.
For example, last week I got:
"You will achieve uncommon success."
Most likely you have gotten similar fortunes.
Note that all of them are positive. None of them foretell gloom or doom.
Why?
People want good news.
So, live like a fortune cookie, creating good news.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Note to Children
Hello Everyone,
Here is a friendly reminder to visit (or at least phone) your Father today.
Show interest in him.
Listen to what he has to say.
Be grateful.
Here is a friendly reminder to visit (or at least phone) your Father today.
Show interest in him.
Listen to what he has to say.
Be grateful.
Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to all of the Dads out there.
You did a great job with the very difficult role of being a parent.
Congratulations.
Have a wonderful day.
You did a great job with the very difficult role of being a parent.
Congratulations.
Have a wonderful day.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Important Tip
Flash: This tip just arrived.
We now know that it is a bad idea to hang clothes to dry next to a bird feeder.
Hello and Welcome
Here goes a new adventure in blogging.
It's new, sort of, because I've posted over 900 blogs on (mostly) business topics. You'll find them at: Leadership Solutions.
This new blog is much like a walk through a forest.
We know where we start. We sort of know where we intend to go. And we find our way as we learn more about where we are.
After all, a forest reveals itself as you travel through it.
I welcome comments.
I especially welcome ideas that provoke thinking.
Join me.
Steve Kaye
www.stevekayephoto.com
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