April 20, 2012
Taking photographs of products wasn't my idea of "fun" and certainly nothing like the thrill of waking up early in the morning in search of animals to photograph. However, taking on this project certainly pushed my abilities and, reminded me that there is always something to learn about photography.Scene - January 2012 1) Dead of winter with little to no natural light. I prefer to use natural light whenever possible, but there's not much in Minnesota during winter.2) Snowing outside. So I'm unable to use my old standby process - take my large white board outside, put it on the ground, place the product on it and take photographs.3) The sun had gone down an hour before, so there was no natural light and I needed to get these bracelet photographs taken before morning.So, I challenged myself and set up a makeshift photo shoot in my basement to photograph the bracelet. I set my tripod up over my white board, then strategically placed lights onto the product. My customer had a specific request on how to photograph the bracelets, so they could place copy in the middle or place it on product cards.Take a look, and if you get a chance, be sure to visit the site www.womansday.com/beahero and Take the Pledge. Who knows, your name may get selected for one of the giveaways!  
Posted by Joan Wallner.
January 31, 2012
When I take vacations, they are packed with photo opportunities
from before the sun rises until after the sun sets. This trip started at Las
Vegas, Nevada, and would take me in a loop through southern Utah, down through Arizona
and back up to Las Vegas. My itinerary included all the national parks (Zion,
Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc.) and anything else I could pack in along the way.
On this sunny July day, I was 45 minutes from the nearest “big”
city in Arizona, getting... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
January 24, 2012
I never thought I would have an opinion so strong as I do now. But
by the time you get to the end of this two-part blog, you may have an O’Pinyon
of your own.
As many of you know, I love dogs. In fact, my life was filled for
18.5 years with my pup, Dotti. When she was a young pup, she was very
mischievous and I often came home to surprises – and I’m talking about her
chewing surprises, not the other “pile o surprise.” From coming home to a room
filled with whi... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
January 18, 2012
Continued from last week where I provided helpful apps to track
weather, blue and golden hours, and provide apps to access national park maps.
Planets, Stars, Meteors, Moon, and
More
Meteor Wheel by
fiddlemeragged ($0.99) — A very simple app that shows the most notable meteor showers of the
year in an easy format.
Planets by Q Continuum
(Free) —
Love this app! I love the ability to turn my phone into a mini-astronomy map revealing
the constellations. AND, my favorite part is being... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
January 11, 2012
Here are some useful apps that I often check when making
photography plans and trips. I have an iPhone, so you will need to find out if
these are offered for other phone types as well as check the current prices,
which may change.
Most of these apps, I was able to download at a reduced rate
or for free. I just waited and kept checking back for a sale!
If you have any suggestions for apps, be sure to send them
my way so I can include in a future blog about useful photo... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
January 4, 2012
One of my favorite times of the day is called the Blue Hour.
This is the period of twilight each morning and evening where there is neither
full daylight nor complete darkness. The quality of light at this time of day,
in my opinion, is spectacular.
Since you are taking a photograph when the sun isn’t even
up, I’m sure many of you are thinking this will be tough. It’s easier than you
think.
What you will need
To take photographs at this time, you will need:
... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
December 28, 2011
Along with wanting to see and photograph the northern lights
on my trip to Gunflint Lodge (see previous blog), I wanted to get some
photographs of moose. Earlier in the year, I had hoped to see one on a canoeing
trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. But, the moose were no-shows. And,
everyone I ran into kept telling me that I needed to be farther north. This is
how plans began to take shape for a trip to Gunflint Lodge.
I mean really, how much more north could I get in M... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
December 14, 2011
Since moving to Minnesota, I have always wanted to see the
Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. And, one would think that living in
Minnesota, I would have ample opportunity to see them. Not so. For whatever
reason, fate always seems to throw a curve my way, so I have never seen them. A few years ago, the northern lights were at an all time
high and people in the south could see them. Where was I? I was in Missouri
visiting my friends in Fulton, Missouri. I didn’t see them because I was on th... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
December 3, 2011
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to take various
types of photographs. The most unique by far, have been the ones I took
while working for as a reporter/photographer. I took thousands of photographs
from people to sports to crime and accident scenes.
During this part of my life, I developed many of my
photography skills, although I continue to learn more every day with the
changing digital world.
Recently a friend of mine asked me what photography awards I’d... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
November 29, 2011
After leaving Upper Antelope Canyon (see previous blog), I
knew I was on borrowed time since the tour guides at the slot canyon were
gathering up their tours to leave the canyon, which are flash flood areas.
I clearly saw the dark clouds approaching, so I drove to the
next photo site on my list as quickly as possible – Horseshoe Bend. I had maybe
a half hour, an hour at the most, before it would start raining. Off in the
distance I caught a glimpse of clouds “falling... Continue reading...
Posted by Joan Wallner.
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