Painter of Light | Rick Sammon | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Renowned photographer Rick Sammon shares his insights and tips on photography, including composition, lighting, and post-processing techniques.

Key Insights

• ❓ The most important elements of photography are emotion, composition, and storytelling.
• 🔦 Control and manipulate light by using different equipment such as flash, reflectors, and diffusers.
• 😫 Practice and set goals to improve your photography skills and achieve better results.
• 😃 Pay attention to the details in your photos, such as catch lights in the subject's eyes and interesting backgrounds.
• 🖼️ Utilize composition techniques like the rule of thirds and filling the frame to create more impactful images.

Transcript

Cliff: Good afternoon, everyone. I wanted to welcome you to another outstanding Authors@Google Talk. Together with the Mountain View Google Photography Club, we are very pleased and thrilled to welcome Rick Sammon into our midst. And Rick is an esteemed photographer and instructor from his series on the DIY Network to his extensive library of ove... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How can I ensure that my flash pictures look natural and not too harsh?

One way to achieve this is by bouncing the flash off a ceiling or wall, which creates a larger light source and softer light. This avoids the harsh shadows that are often associated with direct flash photography.

Q: What are some key tips for capturing wildlife photography?

Some key tips include getting close to the subject, using longer lenses or teleconverters, and paying attention to the direction and quality of light. It's also important to have a good guide who can help you locate and approach wildlife safely.

Q: How can I improve my landscape photography?

Some tips for landscape photography include getting up early or staying out late to capture the golden light, using a wide-angle lens and a small aperture for great depth of field, and experimenting with different compositions and perspectives.

Q: How can I achieve the right white balance in my photos?

One method is to use a color checker passport or an ExpoDisk to calibrate your camera to the specific lighting conditions. This ensures accurate color representation in your photos.

Q: How can I make my photos more creative and artistic?

One way is to experiment with different techniques such as selective focus, playing with color, and using creative cropping and composition. Don't be afraid to make bold choices and think outside the box.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Rick Sammon is a professional photographer and author, known for his accessible approach to photography and ability to capture emotion and imagery.

• He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the most important elements of photography, such as emotion and composition, rather than getting caught up in technical details.

• Sammon shares practical tips and tricks for various aspects of photography, including lighting, composition, and post-processing.

• He also emphasizes the importance of setting goals and practicing to improve one's photography skills.