This photo was taken on April 26, 2009 inside the Lincoln Memorial. I was observing all the people that are coming in and out of the Lincoln Hall, as tourist we all have one thing in common, we want to take pictures President Abraham Lincoln and capture that very moment I myself have probably taken hundreds of photos of the Lincoln Memorial from different angels, so at that time I decided to do a little experiment, I wanted to make it look like people are in a hurry which is very much the reality inside the hall especially during summer. And this is the result, it looked like it was shot in a train station where all people come and go and are always in a hurry to get to their destination.

Taken with a Canon Rebel XS with the EF-s 18-55mm IS Lens.
Shot at 32 mm in Manual mode with an aperture of F/5 and shutter speed of 1/10. Converted to black and white using Adobe Lightroom Ver. 2.7

Colors-2, originally uploaded by sweetspot@f8.

Taken with my Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens, in Aperture Priority Mode set at F/5.6 at 43mm using ISO 100. With my Aperture set at F/5.6, the camera automatically set the Shutter Speed to 1/13 of a second, which cause this spinning colorful windmills to look blurry. A slow shutter speed are selected to show the motion or movement in a still photograph of a moving subject, while a fast shutter speed can cause a moving subject to appear frozen.

Also with the help of image stabilization i was able to use take this photo even at a slow shutter speed of 1/13.

In photography it is important to learn to use the available light, if we take time to learn to see the light and the direction of light we can create images in our own mind before we even take the picture.

Taken with a Sony Point and Shoot DSC-T20
ISO : 80
Focal Length : 19mm
Aperture : F/4.3
Exposure : 1/100
Mode : Program Auto (Auto Exposure with Adjustable Settings)

I’m so honored that this photo has been chosen to be included as one of ShutterPhoto.Net’s 10 Most Interesting Photos of SP@Flickr Pool (2009)
Thanks to D. Travis North

Camera and Gear:
Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 34mm
Lens : Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens
Tripod : Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod and Ball Head

Equipments I Used when I shot this photo:
Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
Lens : Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens
Tripod : Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod and Ball Head
Digital Darkroom App: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2

Photo Processing and Management App: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2

How I ended up with the final photo:
This photo was taken in late Spring of 2009 at around 8:00 PM using my Canon Rebel XS and the the Kit Lens EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens. The camera was set to Manual Exposure using center-weighted metering and the exposure is set at 1.6 sec at f/8.0 to capture the lights sorrounding the Capitol Building. I also use a Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod and Ball Head to mount my camera, hand holding the camera at 1.6sec is too much for me.

I use the Rebel XS Liveview feature when I took the shot, the Liveview really was a big help in focusing and framing the subject, I can zoom up to 10x on the cameras lcd. The liveview is a handy feature when doing long exposure shots especially for someone wearing eyeglasses. I use it mostly when the camera is mounted on a tripod.

Finally I used Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 to import my raw files from camera to my computer. I also use Lightroom to convert this photo from the original colored version to black and white and to export the raw file to jpg format.

Converting to Black and White.
Converting an image to black and white has never been easier with Adobe Lightroom, you can probably have a good black and white image in a few minutes, here are some basic steps on how to easily convert a raw file to black and white:

1. In Lightroom, Click on the Develop tab.
2. Don’t ever use the Grayscale option beside the Color, leave it in color mode.
3. Select the image you want to convert to black and white.
4. Right click on the image and select Create a Virtual Copy. Don’t worry creating a Virtual copy of your image doesn’t create a duplicate file.
5. You will use this Virtual Copy to create a black and white version of your photo. It’s good to always create a virtual copy so you can compare the updated images to the original shot.
6. Scroll down a little bit until you see the Presence adjustment panel.
7. Now, on the Saturation adjustment slider, slide it all the way to the left.
8. You now have a black and white version of your image

This is the original shot of the photo above.

If you have some suggestion or comment, please do post them in the comments below. I love to hear your comments and suggestions.

Book recommendation:
The Complete Guide to Black & White Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book)Michael Freeman—our top digital photography author and a worldwide name—presents the most comprehensive book yet on black-and-white digital photography. Oversized, beautifully illustrated, and far-reaching in scope, this guide is destined to be a standard reference for years to come.

Freeman covers all aspects of black-and-white digital photography: its fine art tradition as well as its techniques. Learn how to see and expose in black and white, digitally convert color to monochrome, and develop a black-and-white digital workflow. Explore creative choices and how to interpret various subjects most skillfully in monochrome. Finally, get an expert’s advice on printing and displaying black-and-white photographs to best effect.

By: Bert P. Krages II | Attorney At Law

The Photographer’s Right is a downloadable guide that is loosely based on the Bust Card and the Know Your Rights pamphlet that used to be available on the ACLU website. It may be downloaded and printed out using Adobe Acrobat Reader. You may make copies and carry them in your wallet, pocket, or camera bag to give you quick access to your rights and obligations concerning confrontations over photography. You may distribute the guide to others, provided that such distribution is not done for commercial gain and credit is given to the author.

Download The Photographer’s Right in PDF Format here:

More Info, Click here:

You might want to check the book by Bert P. Krages II. Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making Images (Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights & Liabilities of)Beginning with the basic laws that govern photography, this legal manual helps photographers understand the basic matters of access and privacy, covering issues such as shooting images on private property, consent, and the photography of public groups. Subjects addressed include the legalities of photographing currency, stamps, securities, trademarks, seals, and insignia; military and nuclear installations; copyrighted materials; children; and animals. This updated handbook closes with a helpful glossary that decodes complicated legalese.

Because of the ever increasing issue on the War Against Photography and Photographers, I have decided to compile the articles that were written by others about this issue:

• Who Started the War On Photography – By Scotte Bourne
• The War on Photography. By Bruce Schneier
• War On Photography
• Going Rogue in the War Against Photography
• DHS photography guidelines
• DOT Response to Photo Harrassment
• DOT on Photography
• Five things Photographers Should do When Confronted by Police
• The War Agaings Photographers a Panel Discussion (PDF)
• NYPD Officially Ends War Against Photography
• PIX-NIX OUTCRY WINS EASE-UP FROM NYPD
• Added Dec. 14, 2009 | British Journal of Photography | Met Police re-issues guidelines on use of anti-terrorism legislation on photographers
• Added Dec. 14, 2009 | Guardian | I’m a train spotter.
• Added Dec. 14, 2009 | Photo This and That | Cops & Togs
  
• 
  

I will continously add more sources the moment I come accross them. If you have one or if you know one that isn’t in the list please let me know, so I can include it the list, or you can post it on as a comment below. Thanks.

Here is a another great book by David duChemin.
VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography
For those who want to make the transition into the world of vocational photography—staying true to your craft and vision, while fusing that craft with commerce VisionMongers is a great place to begin your journey. With a voice equally realistic and encouraging, photographer David duChemin discusses the experiences he’s had, the lessons he’s learned, and the practices he’s adopted in his own winding journey to becoming a successful working photographer.

When it comes to this personal, honest combination of craft and commerce, there is no single path to success. Everyone’s goals are different, as is everyone’s definition of success. As such, VisionMongers does not prescribe a one size-fits-all program. Instead, duChemin candidly shares ideas, wisdom, and inspiration to introduce you to, and help you navigate, the many aspects of transforming your passion into your vocation. He addresses everything from the anxiety-riddled question “Am I good enough?” to the basics—and beyond—of marketing, business, and finance, as well as the core assumption that your product is great and your craft is always improving.

Along the way, duChemin features the stories of nine other photographers—including Chase Jarvis, Gavin Gough, and Zack Arias—whose paths, while unique, have all shared a commitment and passion for bringing their own vision to market. With VisionMongers, you’ll learn what paths have been taken—what has worked for these photographers—and you’ll be equipped to begin the process of forging your own.

Book Recommendation:
For those of you who are interested in Documentary Photography / Photo Journalism, here is a great book for you.
Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers By Ken Light
Illustrated with a compelling image from each photographer, Witness in Our Time traces the recent history of social documentary photography in the words of twenty-two of the genre’s best photographers, editors, and curators, showing that the profession remains vital, innovative, and committed to social change. Featuring interviews with Hansel Mieth, Walter Rosenblum, Michelle Vignes, Wayne Miller, Peter Magubane, Matt Herron, Jill Freedman, Mary Ellen Mark, Earl Dotter, Eugene Richards, Susan Meiselas, Sebastião Salgado, Graciela Iturbide, Antonin Kratochvil, Donna Ferrato, Joseph Rodriguez, Dayanita Singh, Fazal Sheikh, Gifford Hampshire, Peter Howe, Colin Jacobson, and Ann Wilkes Tucker

Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers

Book Recommendation:
The Digital Photography Book
By Scott Kelby
Scott Kelby, the man who changed the “digital darkroom” forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography–how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today’s top digital pros use (and it’s easier than you’d think).

This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, ‘Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?’ I wouldn’t stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I’d just say, ‘Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.’ You d say, ‘OK,’ and you’d get the shot. That’s what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak.”

This isn’t a book of theory—it isn’t full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade” to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

Here’s another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There’s never been a book like it, and if you’re tired of taking shots that look “OK,” and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, “Why don’t my shots look like that?” then this is the book for you.

Book Recommendation:
The Digital Photography Book
By Scott Kelby
Scott Kelby, the man who changed the “digital darkroom” forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography–how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today’s top digital pros use (and it’s easier than you’d think).

This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, ‘Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?’ I wouldn’t stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I’d just say, ‘Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.’ You d say, ‘OK,’ and you’d get the shot. That’s what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak.”

This isn’t a book of theory—it isn’t full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade” to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

Here’s another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There’s never been a book like it, and if you’re tired of taking shots that look “OK,” and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, “Why don’t my shots look like that?” then this is the book for you.

Book Recommendation:
The Digital Photography Book
By Scott Kelby
Scott Kelby, the man who changed the “digital darkroom” forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography–how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today’s top digital pros use (and it’s easier than you’d think).

This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, ‘Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?’ I wouldn’t stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I’d just say, ‘Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.’ You d say, ‘OK,’ and you’d get the shot. That’s what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak.”

This isn’t a book of theory—it isn’t full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade” to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

Here’s another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There’s never been a book like it, and if you’re tired of taking shots that look “OK,” and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, “Why don’t my shots look like that?” then this is the book for you.

Book Recommendation:
The Contact Sheet
By Steve Crist
The Contact Sheet offers an insightful look into the most iconic photographs of our times, revealing the rarely seen contact sheets from the original photo sessions. This compilation book showcases some of the most seminal photographers of our time, from Andre Kertesz to Andre Serrano, this collection shows the depth and breadth of their photographic process.

When a famous photographer creates a noteworthy photograph, many images are taken before and after the moment are left unseen to anyone but the photographer himself. When the photographer creates an extraordinary or famous photograph, these unseen images take on even more importance. Examining the contact sheets from these original photographic sessions allows in depth insight into the subject matter, the photographic process, and often reveal a deeper story that has never been told. Over forty iconic photographs by world famous photographers are examined in detail in The Contact Sheet – complete with short interviews and background details on the sessions themselves. The Contact Sheet is a must have for any serious lover of fine photography.

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Camera shake, took the photo while crossing the street.
Lens : Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

For those of you who are interested in Documentary Photography / Photo Journalism, here is a great book for you.
Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers By Ken Light
Illustrated with a compelling image from each photographer, Witness in Our Time traces the recent history of social documentary photography in the words of twenty-two of the genre’s best photographers, editors, and curators, showing that the profession remains vital, innovative, and committed to social change. Featuring interviews with Hansel Mieth, Walter Rosenblum, Michelle Vignes, Wayne Miller, Peter Magubane, Matt Herron, Jill Freedman, Mary Ellen Mark, Earl Dotter, Eugene Richards, Susan Meiselas, Sebastião Salgado, Graciela Iturbide, Antonin Kratochvil, Donna Ferrato, Joseph Rodriguez, Dayanita Singh, Fazal Sheikh, Gifford Hampshire, Peter Howe, Colin Jacobson, and Ann Wilkes Tucker

Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers

At the Verizon Center Washington DC (formerly MCI Center).  I was taking a picture of the Chipotle fastfood resataurant across the street when the person on the photo walk in front looking at me. I figured it was a good photo. I like the expression on his face, I like the way he looked at me wondering what I was doing.

The Verizon Center is just a few blocks away from DC Chinatown.

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 75mm (120mm in 35mm)
Lens : Canon EF 28-90mm F/4-5.6 III SLR Lens
Exposure : 1/10 sec at f/7
ISO : 200
Mode : Manual

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 28mm (44.8mm in 35mm)
Lens : Canon EF 28-90mm F/4-5.6 III SLR Lens
Exposure : 1/25 sec at f /22
ISO : 100
Mode : Shutter Priority

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 35 mm
Lens : Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Exposure : 1/25 sec at f /3.5
ISO : 800
Mode : Manual

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 55 mm
Lens : Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens
Exposure : 1/160 sec at f /9.0
ISO : 100
Mode : Manual

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 55 mm
Lens : Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens
Exposure : 1/160 sec at f /9.0
ISO : 100
Mode : Manual

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 28 mm
Lens : Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Exposure : 1/250 sec at f /3.5
ISO : 100
Mode : Manual

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 55 mm
Lens : Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens
Exposure : 1/160 sec at f /9.0
ISO : 100
Mode : Manual

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 55 mm
Lens : Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens
Exposure : 1/160 sec at f /9.0
ISO : 100
Mode : Manual

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Focal Length : 55 mm
Lens : Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens
Exposure : 1/160 sec at f /9.0
ISO : 100
Mode : Manual

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Lens : Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Exposure : 1/25 sec at f /3.5
ISO : 800
Mode : Shutter Priority

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Lens : Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Exposure : 1/25 sec at f /3.5
ISO : 800
Mode : Shutter Priority

Photojournalism, Fifth Edition: The Professionals’ Approach

“If you’re into photojournalism – or want to get a foot in the door, then this book may provide some inspiration. It is packed with pictures, both well-known and obscure, complete with explanations, hints and tips…Each page of the paperback raises questions for the reader.” -
Holdthefrontpage.co.uk

“Not just for photojournalists, this book is packed with useful information for any photographer who wants to shoot meaningful, saleable people pictures.” – Photo Stock Notes

“If photojournalism if your passion, then you really should have a copy of this book on hand. …. This is a must have title if you wish to embark on a career in this exciting field. – Shutterbug

“Each picture in this lavishly illustrated volume comes with a helpful annotation on who took it and where, and goes on to describe how it was taken, almost as a private aside to the main text, like a friendly mentor who has your best interests at heart.” – Holdthefrontpage.co.uk

Camera : Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera
Lens : Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Exposure : 1/25 sec at f /3.5
ISO : 800
Mode : Shutter Priority