What Settings Did You Use?

I get asked “What settings did you use?” pretty often, and I don’t mind letting the cat out of the bag, but telling someone the settings for a particular picture doesn’t do that much good without a background in the fundamentals of photography. If you know just a little, you should be able to guess the settings. Here’s the secret to guessing what settings I used on a photo:

Quick-and-Dirty Rules for Aperture

Note that most of the time, but not always these q&d rules work.

Ask yourself this question: Is everything in focus from the foreground near where the photographer was standing to the background near the horizon?

• If yes, then that photo has a deep depth of field (DOF), which means that it was shot with a f/stop of 11 or above.
• If no, then that photo has a shallow DOF, which means that it was shot with a f/stop of 5.6 or below.
• If maybe, then that photo might have been shot with an f/stop of 5.6 to 8 or was focused somewhere that created fuzziness.

Quick-and-Dirty Rules for Shutter Speed

Ask yourself this question: Is the action stopped or blurred?

• If stopped, then it was a fast shutter speed probably above 1/125th of a second.
• If blurred, then it was a slow shutter speed probably under 1/15th of a second.
• If it’s really blurred, such as with many of my Lake Superior pictures, then it was a super slow shutter speed probably around 30 seconds.

The Answer Key

Aperture controls DOF, which is how much appears to be in focus in the picture. Apertures of f/11 and above make lots of the frame in focus. Apertures below f/5.6 often blur the background. For landscapes, you use f/11 and above most of the time, and for portraits you use f/5.6 and below to blur out the background and separate the subject from the background.

Shutter speed controls action. To stop it, you use a shutter speed above 1/125. To blur it, you use something below 1/15. Once you get out into 1.5 seconds or longer is when water starts to get that blurred silky look.

Shameless Self Promotion

We filled my waterfall workshop at Lutsen Resort, so I’ve started a waiting list. If I can get four people on the waiting list, I’ll run a second waterfall workshop on April 13 to April 15 in Grand Marais. Email me at bryan@bryanhansel.com for more information. That leaves only three more workshops that I’m teaching this year:

• June 15 to 16, 2012 - Minnesota Wildflower Photography Workshop at the North House Folk School.
• September 26 to 30, 2012 - Fall Color Lake Superior Photography Workshop in Grand Marais.
• November 9 to 11, 2012 - Lake Superior Gales of November Photography Workshop at Lutsen Resort.

The June workshop started filling up months ago, so if you want to get on it, you’ll need to act quickly. The Fall Color Photography workshop also is starting to fill up. Right now, I haven’t partnered with a local hotel on it, but I’m working on a package, and I’ll announce it if it happens. People that signed up already will be able to get into the package if it happens. It’s pretty far out to think about Gales, but that one always fills up. I also teach one-on-one and small group workshops if you can’t make it to one of my main workshops.

A Shameless Dilemma

A couple of weeks ago, I posted on my Facebook page that I needed 35 people to buy a $100 print so that I could buy a new camera. One person who follows my photos on Facebook mentioned that I should try to get 100 people to buy a $35 print instead. I think that’s a really good idea. For those of you that are thinking, doesn’t this guy save for capital investments like a new camera system; I do, but here’s the issue: I got surprised. I have money set aside to buy a camera, but I wasn’t expecting Nikon to come out with a 36mp camera at the price they did ($3000). This new extremely high MP camera is going to require that I buy a new computer system just so I can process the images, and I’m going to need to buy one new lens because one of my lenses just won’t be up to par on this camera (computer + lens = $3000).

I need a new camera, because my primary camera is from 2005. That’s ancient history in the digital world. It makes great images, but when I see what the new cameras can do, I’m amazed. Plus, I feel like I’m running up against the limitations of this camera, especially during night shots.

The benefit to you is that if you follow my daily photos on Facebook, you’ll see them get better! Plus, I’d make a new ebook called A Photographer’s Guide to Minnesota’s North Shore. I’d even give away my favorite spots and some hidden gems that just don’t ever get photographed.

So, I’m considering starting a Kickstarter project to raise money. I’d have several reward levels, such as:

$10 – A copy of the ebook.

$35 – A 8×12 print signed by me.

$120 – A 16×20 print signed by me.

$200 – A one-on-one photography lesson

$500 – A full-day photography lesson for you and three of your friends.

etc… Probably a couple of other levels, too.

If I could get 100 people to back that project, I’d be able to afford the camera and new computer system. I’d love to hear your thought.

Pretty Pictures from March

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at The Grand Marais Photographer Newsletter April 2012.

Photography workshops need to accomplish four things:

1. Teach you how to use your camera better.
2. Teach you how to see and capture photos better.
3. Visit beautiful locations that I’ve explored before so you can get the best shots.
4. They must be fun.

By combining these aspects, this Fall photography workshop (limited to 12 people) sets up a fun hands-on learning experience in one of the most beautiful parts of Minnesota. For this workshop, we’ll set up our base in Grand Marais and adventure out to nearby locations. We’ll visit scenic overlooks in the Lutsen area to photograph the maples, we’ll head up the Gunflint Trail to photograph the birch and aspen, and we’ll visit other remote and scenic locations. Along the way, you will learn new techniques, improve on old ones and make great photos.

Day 1 (Wednesday): Sunrise to sunset (optional: sunrise)

The photography workshop officially begins at noon with a slideshow and lecture about camera control, composition and the recommended filters. For participants arriving Tuesday night, an optional sunrise session on Lake Superior is available and highly recommended. After the slideshow, we’ll head out to photograph the area while practicing using polarizers and neutral density filters.

Day 2 (Thursday): Sunrise to sunset

We start with a sunrise on Lake Superior near Grand Marais. I demonstrate the use of split ND grad filters. I have several demo filters for you to try, but I suggest that you purchase these filters if you don’t already own them. Learn more about split ND grad filters in my December Newsletter. Then we’ll visit nearby streams to photograph intimate landscapes. We end the day after sunset.

Day 2 (Thursday Night):

Thursday is also our optional night session. After sunset, we’ll meet up and learn to shoot star trails and paint the night with flashlights and other tools. I’ll also bring out a tent, so you can make the classic northwoods night camping shot. Grand Portage photographer Travis Novitsky will join us for the evening session. Travis is a fantastic photographer and his night photography is legendary. Even though the night session is optional, I suspect that everyone will want to come to learn night photography from Travis.

Day 3 (Friday): Morning to sunset

We spend the day in the Lutsen area after photographing Cascade River State Park, and then heading down to several scenic overlooks. We’ll end the day after sunset. For those of you that want to catch some sleep after last night’s night shoot, you can sleep in and meet up at noon for the rest of the day.

Day 4 (Saturday): Sunrise to sunset

This is our Gunflint Trail day. We start the day with a sunrise session on Lake Superior, we head up the Gunflint Trail to photograph the fall color reflecting in scenic lakes and from an easy to reach overlook. We’ll skip the sunset to meet up in the classroom for a demonstration of Adobe Lightroom for photo organization and post-processing. Adobe Lightroom is one tool that no photographer should be without, because it does everything we need. For this demonstration, a laptop with Lightroom is recommended, but you can follow along without it. After you head back to your hotel for the evening, you should select five photos you took during the workshop to share with the class on Sunday.

Day 5 (Sunday): Sunrise to noon with an afternoon feedback session

We start on Lake Superior for the sunrise and after breakfast, we meet up for an image review in the classroom. You’ll share your five images with the classroom. For those that have signed up for the full five days, I will do a one-on-one image review and feedback session during the afternoon and evening. These will be scheduled for 20 minutes and those that have to travel furthest to get home go first.

Fall Color Photography Workshop on Lake Superior Cost

The cost of the workshop is $749 per person for the instruction fee for the five days. Food, lodging and transportation is separate and up to you to book. Weekends in the fall fill up early, so book your hotel soon. About a month before the workshop, you’ll receive the participant packet with a suggestion of clothing and photography gear.

Price: $749 per person
Dates: September 26 to 30, 2012
Max: 12 people

Registration and Cancellation Policies

Lodging Partner

I’m hosting this photography workshop with Aspen Lodge in Grand Marais, MN. Aspen Lodge is on the east side of Grand Marais across the street from one of my favorite restaurants, My Sister’s Place.  Aspen Lodge offers views of Artist’s Point, the East Bay and the Coast Guard Station. It has a giant whirlpool spa, a sauna and a pool. It’s within walking distance of downtown.

Call 800-247-6020 to make your room reservations.

Fall Color Pictures From Fall 2011

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at Fall Photography Workshop on Lake Superior.

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at A Stream Inside a Circle.

The calendar is printed on sturdy card stock and is 11 inches wide by 17 inches long when open. The colors jump off the page. After 2010, I felt bad recycling mine, because the images looked that good.

Image Locations

Here’s a list of where the Lake Superior calendar images were taken:

• Cover: Artist’s Point in Grand Marais
• January: Paradise Beach
• February: 121 Beach
• March: George Washington Pines
• April: Flute Reed River
• May: Artist’s Point in Grand Marais
• June: Near my house in Grand Marais
• July: 121 Beach on the Superior Hiking Trail Lake Walk section
• August: Near the Grand Marais campground
• September: Near the Grand Marais campground
• October: Northern Lights Lake on the Gunflint Trail
• November: Artist’s Point in Grand Marais
• December: Grand Marais

Buy Now

Buy my Lake Superior Calendar for $19.99 now. Buy it from Lulu by clicking here now.

Click on a thumbnail to see the full image.

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at Northern Landscapes 2012 Calendar – a Lake Superior Calendar.

I think photography workshops need to accomplish a few things:

1. You need to learn how to use your camera better.
2. You need to learn how to see and capture photos better.
3. They need to take place in beautiful locations.
4. They must be fun.

By combining those four aspects, I set up a learning experience that helps you capture stunning photos during the photo class. When you leave, you’ll have the knowledge to do it on your own. During my individual and small group Lake Superior Photography Workshops, I tailor the lesson plans to you. If you need to learn about depth-of-field to get everything in focus or to blur the background or how to make waterfalls look silky or how to freeze the motion of a wave, the workshop will teach you those things. If you don’t understand white balance, ISO, file sizes, camera buttons, then by the time the workshop is over you will. I also help you see photos while along the jaw-dropping Lake Superior shoreline, and then I teach you techniques to translate those scenes into a stunning photo. Plus, I keep everything fun!

For locations, I offer Grand Marais Photography Workshops, Lake Superior Photography Workshops, Boundary Waters Photography Workshops, and workshops in the Lutsen and Tofte area. Other areas are possible.

Lake Superior Photography Workshops Price:

1 person: $225 half-day / $375 full-day
2 people: $280 half-day / $480 full-day  ($140/$240 per person)
3 people: $330 half-day / $585 full-day  ($110/$195 per person)
4 people: $380 half-day / $660 full-day  ($95/$165 per person)

Time:

Half-day: We meet before the sunrise and shoot until 11am, or meet for a four to five hour session mid-day or before sunset.
Full-day: We meet before the sunrise and shoot until sunset. During the long summer days, we’ll take a break mid-day to eat lunch and relax. Total lesson time runs between eight and nine hours.

Required down-payment: 50% of the total cost of the program. These down payments are non-refundable but may be transfered.
Questions? Email me at: bryan@bryanhansel.com

Reserve Now:

Lake Superior Photography Workshops

1 person half-day $225.00 2 people half-day $280.00 3 people half-day $330.00 4 people half-day $380.00 1 person full-day $375.00 2 people full-day $480.00 3 people full-day $585.00 4 people full-day $660.00

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at Individual and Small Group Lake Superior Photography Workshops.

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at The Bones of Earth – Photos from Artist’s Point Grand Marais, MN.

To me, pictures of the wind feel like I’ve captured the spirit of everything it moves through. With the other three elements, fire, water and land, it doesn’t seem the same to me. While water moves, it’s generally because of gravity or wind. Land seems so solid, and you often can’t see it move or change. Fire moves, but only when it consumes something solid. Wind seems to influence the other elements. It creates waves, it blows dust, and it causes fire to rage. Perhaps, it’s the anchor by which the other elements exist.

In Jewish and Christian mythology, YHWH’s breath (wind) gives human beings life. As we breath in and out, we create wind. It sustains us. Perhaps, wind is our spirit. If it is, it’s not too much to believe that the wind is the earth’s spirit, and capturing it allows us to see — just for a minute — the being that sustains us.

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at Photographing the Wind Near Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Photographing lupines can feel difficult. It’s hard to capture the feeling of all the color. I like to isolate the different colors against a green background or just fill the entire frame with color. I typically shoot lupines with a 105mm macro lens, but I also pull out my 70-200mm or my 300mm lens to really compress the space between the flowers and make it feel like the color piles on top of itself.

For daisies, I like to center one flower or use two flowers with parts of them leaving the frame. You might can it a habit to constantly frame daisies that same way, but the variations of the flowers, focus and depth-of-field make every picture feel slightly different.

Here are a few photos that I took — the first since being off the expedition. I hope that you enjoy them. Are lupine your favorite flower, too? How about daisies?

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at The Dreamy Daisies and Lupines of the Northshore of Lake Superior.

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at Rosebush Creek Waterfalls on Minnesota’s North Shore.

This one runs mainly in spring. During a wet fall it also runs high. During the summer, it’s much more of a dribble. Because the sun hits all the falls during the day, it’s best to photograph it before and just after sunrise or at sunset. Even better is to wait for an overcast day. The darker the day, the more silky you can make the water.

Here’s a little history about the place name. From Minnesota Place Names: A Geographical Encyclopedia:

Rosebush township organized in 1907, took its name from Rosebush Creek, in translation of is Ojibwe name, Oginekan, though called “Fall River” on maps … The creek a mile farther west was mapped as “Rose Bush River.”

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This is a post from Bryan Hansel Photography. Respond and ask questions at Minnesota’s Fall River Waterfalls.