The role of photography documenting history

There’s no doubt in my mind that photography plays a vital role in documenting history—perhaps even more so than video. While browsing Flickr for street photography, I came across an album created by Eran Horn, an amateur photographer from Israel.

Through his lens, he has captured the unfolding events surrounding the potential liberation of prisoners held by Hamas.

His black-and-white photographs are truly remarkable, conveying the deep sadness and dramatic intensity of the moment with profound impact.

Photo by Eran Horn.

Kids Soccer

 This weekend I shot a kid soccer game and here is one of the pictures that I liked from the event.

When shooting soccer, I set my R6 to Shutter Speed Priority at 1/1250 to freeze the action and avoid motion blur. I leave the ISO on Auto to stay focused on the game without the distraction of adjusting ISO manually.

I chose the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L Mk II lens because it provides the reach I need when the action is happening far down the field, while still allowing me to capture shots when the players get closer. Another option could have been my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L, but I find its range too short for this type of event.

I definitely enjoy shooting sports events. It’s the perfect combination of watching the game while doing what I love: photography.

More than 70,000 pictures

I joined Flickr in 2006. At the beginning this platform served me as the media used to hold pictures that I used in my blogs relative to Ultra Mobile PCs. Later on I started to use it as a backup for my photography hobby. Today I noticed that I have reached the milestone of more than 70,000 pictures in this platform!

According to Flickr Statistics, this is the most voted picture from my Profile.

What can be done with your iPhone camera

I wouldn’t trade my camera for an iPhone, even though I use my iPhone occasionally. The image quality from a DSLR or mirrorless camera is unmatched. That said, if your iPhone is all you have with you, don’t hesitate to use it. For inspiration, here’s someone (Michael Shl) who has traveled to over 40 countries, capturing incredible photos with whatever version of the iPhone he owned at the time.

Picture by Michael Shl.

 

Newborn Baby Photography

While I’m primarily a wildlife photographer, I also enjoy doing event photography, including public events, birthdays, and sports. For these occasions, I adopt a casual style, capturing what most would consider candid moments. My subjects aren’t posed; they’re simply going about their lives, and I’m there as a witness, preserving those authentic moments.

I love this approach because it feels natural, and I dislike asking people—especially kids—to pose. More often than not, they end up standing stiffly in what I call the "penguin pose," accompanied by a forced, "Terminator-style" smile.

However, there’s one type of photography that intimidates me: newborn baby photography. While I’ve taken pictures of my grandsons when they were little, those were more personal than professional.

To me, newborn baby photography requires an immense amount of patience and a nurturing touch that I feel is often best exemplified by women. This video beautifully illustrates what I mean.

 

As a photographer you need to be prepared

As a wedding photographer, you need to be prepared for anything. Outdoor events, in particular, pose unique challenges since you have little control over the weather. If the couple decides to proceed with the ceremony despite unfavorable conditions, it’s your responsibility to adapt and carry on with your work. And this is what happened at this event. 

Courtesy of People.

Pictures at a local zoo

 This weekend I visited a local zoo and here are some of the pictures I took there.

Florida Mountain Lion. This picture was taking through a glass, in post edition haze was eliminated and contrast increased.

Florida Fox Squirrel, Juvenile. This is an example of shooting through a chain-link fence. When you position the camera close enough to the fence, it becomes almost invisible in the image, allowing you to focus on the subject beyond.

Florida Coyote. Another example of shooting through a chain fence. The coyote eyes were edited to make them the central point of the picture.

Taking photos at a zoo can be a rewarding experience, offering the opportunity to practice wildlife photography in a controlled environment. Here are some tips to enhance your results:

1. Plan Your Visit

    Timing: Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when animals are more active and lighting is softer.
    Weather: Overcast days are ideal for even lighting without harsh shadows.
    Research: Check feeding times or special animal demonstrations for action shots.

2. Bring the Right Gear

    Lens Choice: Use a zoom lens (I used for this pictures my R6 with EF100-400L Mk2). For the wide angle shots I used an iPhone 16 Pro. 

Camera Settings:

•         Shoot in RAW: Offers flexibility in editing.
•         Shutter Speed: Use fast speeds to freeze animal movement (1/500s or faster for active animals).
•         Aperture: Use wide apertures (e.g., f/5.6) to blur backgrounds and isolate subjects.
•         ISO: Adjust to maintain proper exposure; higher ISO for dimly lit areas.

    Filters: A polarizing filter can help reduce reflections on glass.

3. Work with Composition

•     Focus on Eyes: The eyes are the most expressive and engaging part of an animal photo. I also spend some time editing the eyes in Lightroom Classic to make them stand out by brightening them.
  
•     Framing: Use natural elements like branches or rocks in the enclosure to frame your subject.
•     Perspective: Get at eye level with the animals for a more intimate perspective.

4. Overcome Challenges

    Fencing:
        Use a wide aperture and position the lens close to the fence to make it disappear in the background.
        Align the lens with gaps in the fencing.
    Glass Enclosures:
        Avoid reflections by shooting at an angle and placing the lens close to the glass.
        Clean the glass with a microfiber cloth if allowed.
    Crowds: Be patient and shoot when the crowd clears.

5. Capture Behavior and Details

    Photograph animals interacting, eating, or playing for dynamic shots.
    Focus on unique features like textures of fur, scales, or feathers.

6. Be Respectful

    Avoid using flash, as it can disturb animals.
    Respect barriers and zoo rules to ensure your safety and the well-being of the animals.

7. Post-Processing

    Edit your photos to enhance contrast, correct color, and crop out distracting elements.
    Use noise reduction tools if you had to shoot at high ISO.

About Canon Auto Focus

Forums are a tremendous source of information and, in some cases, even more helpful than YouTube for learning about photography and cameras. Maybe I’m just old school, preferring to read rather than watch tutorials. Recently, I’ve been following a thread on RF Shooters where we’ve been diving deep into discussions about Canon’s autofocus system and its various options.

Ryan Daniel AKA Pale Blue Wave

The other day, I posted here about a photographer based in Portland who takes pictures of strangers. He records his encounters on video, which also showcase the photos he takes. His work has gained significant attention, even leading to a feature article about him on CNN.

 Ryan Daniel had no prior professional photography experience when he decided to buy his first camera.

But within six months of roaming the streets of Portland, Oregon — and with the help of a few online tutorials — Daniel developed a surprisingly unique photographic style: capturing free portraits of strangers.

Under the alias Pale Blue Wave, Daniel launched an Instagram account several years ago to share his work with a wider audience. The 40-year-old grew his following from roughly 100 to more than half-a-million across his social media accounts.

Wedding lineup

What would be the dream gear lineup for a wedding or event photographer? Check this video to find the answer. 

I finally got it

In 10 years I have taken many pictures of hummingbirds perched but never of one flying. Today I finally had that opportunity. 

Inwas about to end my walk today when I saw it flying around and I mananaged to take 3 pictures in one single burst.

Breakfast in Florida

Walking around in the local park I witnessed a small alligator trying to eat a small turtle. I could not wait to see how the whole thing ended. I hope that it was a happy end. 

The Afghan Girl

Courtesy of Flickr.

 The "Afghan Girl" is one of the most iconic photographs in modern history, taken by photographer Steve McCurry in 1984. The image features Sharbat Gula, a young Afghan girl with piercing green eyes, who at the time was a refugee in Pakistan. McCurry captured her photograph in a refugee camp near Peshawar, and it was later published on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985. This cover image quickly became a symbol of the struggles faced by refugees during the Soviet-Afghan War and of the broader human impact of conflict.

Gula’s intense gaze and the contrasting colors of her red scarf and green eyes create a visually arresting image, full of emotion and depth. Her expression, both haunting and defiant, conveys the hardship and resilience of those caught in war zones, particularly women and children. McCurry himself did not know the girl’s name when he captured her portrait, and she remained anonymous for many years. In 2002, after a long search, McCurry and a National Geographic team were able to locate her, confirming her identity through iris recognition technology.

The "Afghan Girl" photograph has since become a powerful cultural symbol, highlighting the plight of refugees around the world. Sharbat Gula’s story, marked by struggle and resilience, continues to resonate today, reminding us of the human cost of conflict. The photograph also raises important questions about privacy, representation, and the ethics of photojournalism, as Gula’s life was significantly impacted by the fame of her image—a reality she didn’t anticipate.

Object removal in Lightroom Classic

Object removal in Lightroom Classic recently received an upgrade that includes AI technology. I've used the feature a few times, and recently, I decided to put it to the ultimate test.

Here is a picture that I took while back in one of the my grandsons soccer games.

I’ve always loved this picture but found the water bottle in front of the little girl and the soccer ball behind her distracting. So, I decided to remove them using Lightroom’s new AI-powered removal tool. Here is the end result.

As you can see, the result is unbelievably good! Lightroom removed the water bottle and seamlessly restored the background, making it look impressively realistic.

Making history

We survived a world pandemic. Today, these few words might sound like ancient history, but I can’t stop thinking about the cost it came with—especially for families who lost someone during that difficult time. This album was all about that. How we cared for each other.

 

Electromagnetic Shutters

One of the biggest problems photographers face is shutter shock—a vibration produced by the shutter mechanism that can cause photos to be less sharp than they should be. To eliminate this Canon is experimenting with a new type of shutter: Electromagnetic Shutter. 

Keep in mind that this video was posted two years ago. Will we see this in the future? Who knows...
 

On the last weekend

 Last weekend, I had the opportunity to capture this photo of Sandhill Cranes flying over Crews Lake.

Taken using a R6 with EF100-400L.

This image highlights the importance of being ready to take a shot at any moment. You must know your camera well to react quickly; otherwise, you may miss those fleeting opportunities that nature offers and that may never come again.

Another one of this unique pictures could be this one showing the dance of a crane.

Dance of the cranes

 

 

 

Photography Statistics

Here’s an article filled with interesting statistics about the world of photography. A few numbers that caught my attention are these:

• 50.6% of photographers started taken photos as a hobby during childhood
• 36.5% learned from online resources such as YouTube
• 40.8% invest from $500 to $1000 per year in photography gear and only 10.9% from $2.5K to $5K
• 46.9% take from 1K to 3K pictures per session! (Comparing to me with 100 to 200!)
  
• 43.9% deliver from 500 to 1K pictures to the client
• 31.1% deliver these pictures in 2 to 4 weeks after the shooting

Interesting, is not it?

 

 

Julian Lennon as a photographer

For many, his name may sound familiar—yes, he is the first son of John Lennon.

He ventured into music years ago, but now he's showcasing his work as a photographer.

You can enjoy some of his photos in this article.

Wow! His photos are so beautiful!