Hello my friends,
Merry Christmas and happy holiday to all!

I thought I should try and use the wide spread of my journal to also share some tips about photography. Some of you may know this, but some might find these useful. Feel free to use the comments to add tips of your own. The ones that I find original, I will include in my journal (and add credit, of course).

My weekly tip
This week I want to talk about filters.
Many ask me in comments, and in notes, about my use of filters.
Some years ago there were hundreds of filters possible for use. Some made effects that seem silly now days, since Photoshop allows you to have that effect with one click, and adjust it to the point you really want it. Filters like colors, or blur and shapes...
However, there are 3 types of filters that still can be used in the digital age, and I recommend you know about them.

1. ND filters
Natural Density filters are like sun glasses that you put on your lens, to help you get less light in the camera. Like sun glasses you are able to select the level of darkness applied on the lens by the thickness of the glass in the filter.
Why do you need it?
Basically it help Get longer exposures in strong light conditions (up to 10 full stops. The colors are deeper and the effect is usually more surreal. You will need tripod, and the ND filters matching your lens.
There is no way to get that effect in Photoshop, since longer exposures will get you effects of transparency and movement (like water breaking on rocks turning into mist).
Another thing, there are ND filters that comes in grad (circular grad). That means that they block the sun only in a portion of the filter. This is recommended for sunsets and sunrises, when you want only part of the frame to block the light.

2. Infra Red filter
If you follow my work, you should know by now what I mean.
For my journal on Infra Red

3. Polarizer filter
This filter is a "must" when shooting landscape shots on a summer day.
You know how the blue sky looks too bright in contrast to the land? If you use polarizer you will get deeper blue and better contrast. Basically that filters gets you better balanced light in outdoor shooting.
Second use for that filter is avoiding reflections. Like trying too shoot through a glass, by turning the circular filter you can adjust the reflection up to the point it disappears.

So, these are the three I suggest you know.
If you need it or not, that's for you to decide.
They cost about 50$ for 58mm, and more if you take them for a wider lens (up to about 250$ for 77mm).

This week prints theme - Surreal







Now, I invite you to take a look with me, at 10 of my favorites Under my weekly spotlight





Somehow, a couple walking hand in hand is not imagined in such a location. And not dressed like that. I find this exiting not just because of that, but because the pattern and perspective is visually very pleasing.


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Total Favorites up to now: 22}





A children fairytale in one shot.
Is he on his way to find his mom? Is he trying to become a bird? Is he simply trying to belong?
You decide.


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Total Favorites up to now: 9}





What splendor, grace, power.
Nature shot done like these shots should be taken.


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Total Favorites up to now: 17}






I dare you not to smile.
No way you can do it. Maybe if you close your eyes, or if you are a dog.
Anyway, I found myself melting like snow of a hot summer day.


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Total Favorites up to now: 22}





Beautiful composition.
Using the colors, and reflection to create this beautiful symetry, and capture this landscape so well. Well done!


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Total Favorites up to now: 6}





Take some time and examine this one.
It's brilliant, and creative.
Bravo!


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Total Favorites up to now: 11}





This is what a day looks like when it ends.
Sad, but just as beautiful.


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Total Favorites up to now: 10}





So simple, but so smart.
A graphic, and well organized frame.
When you think about how easy it is to miss it, you simply learn how great is having a photographer around.

_{Total views up to now: 16
Total Favorites up to now: 2}






A picture that is worth 2571 words.
Look at the details, look how it completes each other and make up the story. The umbrella, the hole in the ceiling.. take time - look and feel.

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Total Favorites up to now: 16}





Minimalistic, but so full of details.
A beautiful example of still life photography.


_{Total views up to now: 61
Total Favorites up to now: 8}









It's amazing to see how much beauty and quality is passed un-noticed here in all one week. I hope that more great work will get noticed here. It's up to us. Use the comments favorites power to support the un-noticed.

Keep supporting!


*****



1. Art is all about expression

2. About Photography, and Israel too

3. DA Thoughts

4. Infra Red

5. Let me shed some Light

6. All the Info you can probably get on me – The BTL with G

7. Listen to "One Day"

8. About freedom of speech and ethics

9. A Different Look At Israel

10. Where you can download the "A Different Look At Israel" presentations.



If you didn't hear about the wonderful project of `ArtistsForCharity now its the time! go, share, and help.

These are five prints of my work, I gave to the project so far:
and and and and


Yours, G




If you don't want to read all this Bla Bla Bla, you can simply download the "A Different Look At Israel" presentations here.

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