Blog: The Viewpoint

Nature Photography Challenge Mallory Grosskreuz Whip out your phone or camera because it's time for a photography challenge!!!! Being a nature lover myself, I thought that doing a nature photography contest would be a great idea. It's spring, so it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy the world that God created. Upload your pictures here before June 1.  Can’t wait to see you all’s ph...

Do I need a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera to be a photographer? The short answer: of course not.  This may seem like a pretty obvious answer. However, some feel that without proper equipment they cannot be a serious photographer. I found this to be the case after organizing a photography contest at a local school. To my dismay I received very few submissions. Upon asking around, the general excuse eme...

Many photographers find their photos looking unrealistic, but don’t know why. The answer might be that they are not taking depth into account. Photography is a two-dimensional medium, but the objects we photograph are three-dimensional. Without depth, our photos look flat and uninteresting to a viewer. Luckily for us, there are a few simple tricks anyone can use to give the illusion of depth in a photograph! Setting the Scene If you want your photograph ...

With daylight savings time now gone, the colors of the sunset appear from a phenomenon called scattering. It is the physical process where forms of radiation, such as light, sound, or moving particles are forced together to create the beauty of a sunset. This process is greatly shown in this photo.   The moon & clouds are centered in this photo below. The upper ...

More than a way to capture memories, a camera can be used to make some really cool special effects. One of these is light painting. First, you will need a camera that has a manually adjustable shutter speed. A tripod is also essential because it would be difficult to hold the camera still for the duration needed. The camera takes in whatever light hits the lens as long as the shutter is open...

Take a look behind the lens of Kimberly McCarthy, a photographer and former NBC news producer, as she tells MODG News about her experience in photography. What first interested you about photography? Photographs and film have been a part of my family history. My father had a big Polaroid camera and old film cameras which he used all the time documenting all of us children at the many, many family events as we grew up....

Is an iPhone as good as a camera when it comes to photography? I tested an iPhone X against a Fujifilm XA-1 camera to see how they measure up in two of the most popular categories, portraiture and landscape. Portraiture My younger sister and I went out to test how the iPhone measured up against the camera. The iPhone X has a special camera mode for portraits, so of course we had to test...

In 1975 Steve Sasson created the first digital camera that reinvented photography. Prior to this major occurrence, film photography was the only way to capture a picture. Now, film photography is seen as outdated or vintage, I’m here to persuade you to rethink that idea. Digital photography allows anyone to be a photographer with limitless ease. Simply take out your phone and snap away. It’s simp...

Whether you’re the one taking the picture or the one posing, finding the right pose is always challenging.   People very seldom feel natural in front of a camera, but looking natural is one of the most important elements of posing for a portrait.   So, whether you’re planning your first photo shoot or preparing for your senior portrait, here are seven key tips to get you sta...

Get out your cameras, because it’s time for another photo contest! This year our contest is all about the Christmas celebration. Your entry could be anything from a favorite Christmas tradition to your preparation for the celebration. The possibilities are limitless! The deadline is January 5th. Send in your entries through Submit Your Idea, and our panel of judges will review them....

Panning in photography is a fun technique that makes viewers say, "I wonder how they did that?" Watch this video and learn how. Reporter Christian Hammer will show you how to take a panning shot step-by-step.

Trick or Treat! Halloween is just around the corner, which means it’s time for a MODG photo contest!  The theme for this contest is “Spooky Fun”. The contest is the perfect opportunity to share a special part of your Halloween season, whether it’s your neighbor’s artful decorations, your little sibling trick-or-treating, some Halloween-themed cookies, or your dog’s taco costume. Don�...

Gwynith Hayden, a MODG photographer, discusses the basics of leading lines in this video. Check back here on The Viewpoint for more great photography tips and tricks!

What is ISO?   ISO, which stands for International Standards Organization, is your camera’s sensitivity to light. ISO controls your camera’s capacity to absorb light. You can think of the ISO as a sponge, soaking up the light coming through the shutters.     High vs. Low ISO: When to Use Them   A high ISO increases your camera’s sensitivity to light, causin...

Aperture comes from the Latin word, aperire, meaning to open. Those of you who thought you could escape from Latin in photography, think again!     Light   So, what does aperture do?   Aperture controls the size of the opening in your camera’s lenses.     Aperture affects many things, including lighting. The larger the lenses open, the mor...

As any photographer will tell you, a knowledge of shutter speed not only cures blurry images, but can also help your technique.   But first, let’s talk about some of the basics.   Shutters   Every time you take a picture, your camera opens and closes its shutters. Shutter speed is the amount of time it takes your shutters to open and close.   Why do the...

The time has come to announce the winners of the spring photo contest! Thank you so much to everyone who participated! This year’s entries have truly captured the essence of spring. The winning order is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. 1st place: Sam Herbison Congratulations, Sam! I love how you composed this shot! The branch leads the viewer’s eye towards the blossoms. 2nd Place: Emilia Ward Well done, Emilia! The vibrant colors instantly reminded me of spring.   3rd Place: Reagan Sullivan Great photo, Reagan! One of my f...

The trees and flowers are blooming, the birds singing a new song, and everyone is hyper on Easter eggs, which means that it is Spring Photo Contest time!   This photo contest gives you an opportunity to get creative and have fun with your camera, whether it be a professional camera or your phone! The subject matter is anything that gives a spring vibe, and the winner will have his/her name and phot...

A reflector is a photography tool that is used to bounce light onto the subject.   This tutorial shows an easy way to make a silver reflector with things you probably already have around the house.   Silver reflectors are used to reflect cool light. For reflecting warm light, I would recommend using a gold reflector. You can make one using gold wrapping paper and following the...

Not everyone can have a massive set and special effects.  Most of us can’t afford giant cameras or crazy costumes and props.  Fortunately, there is a way to cheat. With miniatures, you can sometimes arrive at a similar result to the real thing. Using tricky camera angles and editing techniques, the tiny models come to life.This method is so effective and cheap that is has been used b...

Questions about Cameras What kind of camera is most practical, cost efficient, and has good enough quality for a more professional camera?  In other words, what camera would you suggest for a beginner?   I would recommend looking at Nikon or Canon cameras. I know many photographers who use these brands and have been very happy with the quality. Here are some guidelines for selecting a professional ...

Gwynith Hayden, a MODG photographer, explains the basics of natural lighting in photography. These techniques are great tools for any photographer, regardless of whether a smartphone or camera is used.

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the Fall Vibes photo contest!  All of the entries were so beautiful and autumnal that we had difficulty making a decision!  The winning order is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and an honorable mention. Here are the results: 1st place: Emily Smarsh Congratulations, Emily!  We definitely felt those ‘Fall Vibes’ in the colorful, magnificent trees with the sunlight streaming through those season...

Bokeh is an essential photography technique that is used to add depth to a photograph. Bokeh is the out-of-focus effect that is achieved with a shallow depth of field and focused points of light. The shallow depth of field will affect the way your camera processes the lights in the background. The lights will appear as small, glowing balls behind your subject. Christmas and city ...

Welcome all to the ‘Fall Vibes’ contest! This contest is made for anyone who wants to send in a photo of something that represents this time of year. It can be anything to a steamy cup of coffee to the Halloween costume you or your sibling is wearing. Make it as creative as you like! Don’t limit yourself for a simple photo, you can add whatever you want so long as you catch the esse...

Easter break is here!  Spring is in the air, the sun is shining, and it's time to get outside and take some pictures! This is a page where you can post any Easter- related photo and share them with everyone in MODG.  It is a great way to get more involved in the MODG community in a super fun way!  Whether it be a cute picture of your pet bunny, a beautiful sunrise on a spring morning, spring f...

Hey MODG photographers!  The viewpoint has a new contest!  The theme will be “hidden.”   This theme particularly is left open for your artistic interpretation!  Be as creative as you want!  Please submit your image through the Letter to the Editor by November 18th!  Be sure to include your name, grade, and how you took your photo!

Calling all our MODG amazing photographers!  Our fall photo contest is kicking off this week.  The theme is titled “Out of Place.”  This theme particularly is left open for your artistic interpretation: be as creative as you want. Please submit your image through Letter to the Editor by October 2nd. Be sure to include your name, grade, and how you took your photo! ...

The Spring Photo Contest is here! We want you to take a photo that captures the essence of spring. When you submit your entry to Letter to the Editor, please include your name, grade and the location where you took the photo. Get us your entry by end of the day on Monday, May 2. We are excited to see your photos! Good luck!    ...

Congratulations to photo contest winner, 10th grader Elizabeth Puncer! VOX asked you to send in pictures of churches. Elizabeth's winning photo was taken at the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. What a pretty Church. Thanks Elizabeth! Look for the new Viewpoint contest later today.  ...

In this post I use movie clips and photographs to illustrate how professionals create depth in their photographs. Watch for more installments in this series on Digital Design. Lucas Hamilton

Google and Disney have teamed up to create a new online sensation: Zoogle Selfies! Inspired by the Disney movie, Zootopia, the two companies have installed enclosed cameras at the Los Angeles Zoo.  The cameras snap pictures any time an animal comes near. The Google photos are posted on this public website:  Zoogle Selfies.  Check out the pictures. The animals did a great job!   ...

There is a new photo contest! We want to see pictures of churches. It can be yours or another. With your photo, include the name of the parish, and why you chose to take a picture of that particular church. Feel free to add picture effects for this contest. We did for this image. The best photo will win! Please upload your photograph entry to Letter to the Editor by end of the day Monday April 18. ...

In this post I use movie clips and photographs to illustrate how professionals use the rule of thirds element of design. Watch for more installments in this series on Digital Design. Lucas Hamilton

The time has come to announce the winners of the "These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things" photo contest! The challenge in this contest was to creatively incorporate some of your favorite things into a photo! We received some beautiful entries, thank you to everyone who participated and keep an eye out for the next contest! First place goes to Therese Heron for her beautiful picture. Congratulations...

It's time to announce the winners for the "What are your Fall Favorites" photography contest! After a lot of deliberation from the judges, three very clear winners came forth. Our first winner is Allie Johnson, who entered a stunning landscape photo. Congratulations, Allie! The two runners up for 2nd and 3rd place are Sam Sebastian and Andrew Matthews. Congratulations to everyone who submitted!...