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📸 We’re Taking the Lakes Region Online — and You Can Be Part of It!

📸 We’re Taking the Lakes Region Online — and You Can Be Part of It!
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Ed Mercer

Oct 6, 2025

Monday, October 6 , 2025

Photography Tribe is where 40+ years of Ed Mercer’s experience meet modern tutorials on gear, lighting, composition, exposure, and AI. Learn to edit like a pro and make your images pop!
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Organizing Your Photos on Your iPhone!

Two Famous Photographers

What is Annie Leibovitz famous for?
 
Annie Leibovitz is renowned for her dramatic, quirky, and iconic photographic portraits of celebrities. Her style is characterized by carefully staged settings, superb lighting, and use of vivid color.
 
What is the most famous picture of Annie Leibovitz?
 
John Lennon and Yoko Ono for the January 22, 1981, Rolling Stone cover, taken the day Lennon was murdered. Leibovitz called it "the photograph of my life" and the photograph she would be remembered for.
 
What is Ansel Adams famous for?
Ansel Adams will be remembered for his wide range of conservation activities and his inspirational commitment over more than half a century. But his foremost contribution to “the American Earth” has been the remarkable impact of his photography on the consciousness of Americans.
 
What is Ansel Adams' most famous quote?
 
Life is your art. An open, aware heart is your camera. A oneness with your world is your film. Your bright eyes and easy smile is your museum."

📸 Autumn Photography Tips: Embrace the Colors & Mood

  1. Boost Saturation, Carefully
    Fall is all about color. Slightly increase saturation or vibrance (in post) to make reds, oranges, and yellows pop—without making skin tones look unnatural.

  2. Include Foreground Elements
    Use fallen leaves, branches, or acorns close to your lens to add depth. A leaf in soft focus in the foreground can frame your subject beautifully.

  3. Backlight Leaves
    Position the sun behind translucent leaves. Backlighting them will make their veins glow—a small detail that turns ordinary into magical.

  4. Capture Movement
    Let leaves drift or branches sway—experiment with slower shutters (½ to 1 second) to record motion blur for a painterly effect.

  5. Watch for Contrasts
    Pair bright fall foliage with darker trunks or evergreens. The contrast will make the colors “pop” more.

Trivia Question❓

Why is Adobe Lightroom considered easy to use for beginners?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

From Your Editor (Your Photography Buddy)

I see you out there chasing light and leaves. Fall is a special season—a time textures change, colors deepen, and every moment feels a bit more poetic. Use this week to experiment. Go out early, stay late, and give yourself time to wander with your camera.

If you’re stuck or want feedback, drop me some of your favorite shots. I’d love to help you see what makes them tick (and what they can become). Keep pushing, stay curious, and enjoy every frame.

📱 Hidden iPhone Tricks for Better Autumn Shots

Enable ProRAW / RAW Mode
Shooting in RAW gives you far more leeway when editing—helpful when dealing with bright highlights through leaves and deep shadows.

  1. Lock Exposure & Tint
    Tap and hold your subject, then slide up/down to lock exposure. You can also drag to adjust color temperature to warm things up for fall tones.

  2. Use the Ultra-Wide Lens
    Get close to a leaf pile or tree base, and let the wide lens exaggerate the foreground. Works well for dramatic compositions.

  3. Burst Mode + Select
    When leaves are falling or wind is blowing, hold down the shutter to capture bursts. Then choose the frame where everything aligns just right.

  4. Use Natural Frames
    Look for arching branches or doorways—use them to frame your subject, especially with fall colors around the edges.

Fall Means Soccer and Football Season!

Whether it’s Friday night high school games, local fairs, or leaf-peeping tours, here’s how to make your event photography sing:

  • Fast Shutter Speeds: Use 1/800–1/1600+ sec to freeze movement (players, leaves, fans).

  • Tight Zooms: Use longer focal lengths (e.g. 200 mm or more) to isolate details.

  • Shoot from Low Angles: Makes subjects (players, performers) look more powerful.

  • Include the Atmosphere: Don’t just shoot players—capture cheering fans, band members, banners, or the colorful trees in the stands.

  • Use Burst & Timing: Anticipate impact moments (tackles, catches, jumps) and fire in bursts.

Q&A Questions

Q: How can I dramatically improve my photos right away?
A: Hunt for good light. Morning or evening (golden hour) gives you that soft, warm, directional light that flatters almost every scene.

 

Q: Do I need fancy gear to take great autumn photos?
A: Not at all. Your smartphone or basic DSLR can do wonders. Focus on light, composition, and seeing moments. Gear is secondary.

 

Q: How do I decide what to focus on in a big fall landscape?
A: Choose a “hero” — maybe a tree with especially vibrant leaves, a winding path, or a lone figure. Let that anchor guide your composition.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Lightroom is designed for photographers, not computer experts—everything is intuitive and visual. You don’t need to understand complicated editing terms to make your photos look amazing. For example, adjusting brightness, color, or sharpness is as simple as moving a slider left or right and instantly seeing the change.

It’s also easy to stay organized—Lightroom keeps all your photos in one place and lets you create albums or tags so you can find shots fast. Plus, with built-in presets, you can give your photos a professional look in seconds. Whether you’re editing on your phone or computer, Lightroom makes turning good photos into great ones effortless.

Monday, October 6, 2025

Photography How To

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Photography How To is your ultimate resource for mastering photography, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional. We provide step-by-step guides, expert tips, and tutorials to help you improve your skills, understand your gear, and get creative with every shot. From mastering camera settings to advanced techniques, we cover everything you need to know to capture stunning images and develop your unique style. Let’s make your photography journey easier and more enjoyable!

© 2025 Photography How To.