Soccer Player Brandi Chastain. Photograph © John Todd 2010. All Rights Reserved

In the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography,” Marc Silber sits down with acclaimed sports photographer John Todd to talk about what it takes to capture great action images in sports.

As one of the most respected photographers in the world of sports and soccer, Todd’s clients include Nike, the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the Maverick’s Big Wave Surfing Contest. He is also the team photographer for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes and the U.S. Men and Women’s Soccer Teams.

With images that capture the spirit and drama of some of the world’s most gifted athletes, John Todd has made a career out of taking big, bold, beautiful photographs. This also makes him the perfect mentor to photographers who want to improve their game.

Watch the interview and you’ll learn all about:

1. How to Approach a Sports Shoot — Whether you’re photographing your nephew’s youth soccer game or handling a World Cup match with international superstars, John offers important advice on how you should prepare for your shoot. Watch the interview and you’ll learn what he means when he says he approaches every shoot as if it were a “globe.”

2. Simple and Clean — Hear what John has to say about what he considers to be the two most important aspects of an image that pops out and wows.

3. Visualizing the End Result — Echoing photography icon Ansel Adams, John touts the philosophy of preparedness. Hear what he has to say about “seeing with your mind’s eye” and picturing exactly what you want your photograph to look like… before you ever press a button.

To see more of John Todd’s tips and techniques on how to improve your sports photography, be sure to watch the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography” with Marc Silber. Also, check out more of John’s amazing work over at www.JohnTodd.com.

Photograph © Hunter Freeman 2010. All Rights Reserved

In the latest episode of Advancing Your Photography, Marc Silber sits down with acclaimed creative photographer Hunter Freeman. As a leader in the field of art and advertising photography, Hunter has worked for a wide array of big-name companies, including Apple, Wells Fargo and PG&E.

Whether it’s shooting surreal images of astronauts at the laundromat, a chef decorating a cake or close-ups of the latest Mac computer, Hunter’s expertise in the art of crafting beautiful photographs comes from a uniquely diverse career. This experience makes his advice on the subject of photography virtually indispensable for both beginners and professionals.

Watch the video and you’ll learn all about:

1. “You can’t pose a real moment” — The greatest moments, says Hunter, happen when your subjects aren’t posing. Listen to how he creates a comfortable atmosphere for his shoots, and how these yield “real moments.”

2. Lighting and composition — Whether it’s indoor or out, in the kitchen or on the side of the road, Hunter talks about what it takes to capture the right elements in your photographs. Hear specific tips you can use on improving your lighting and composition techniques.

3. KISS — No, Hunter doesn’t discuss Gene Simmons’ rock band, rather the acronym. “Keep It Simple Stupid” is key to Hunter’s approach to his shoots. Hear how he uses this maxim to streamline his images and craft simple yet engaging photographs.

To see more of Hunter Freeman’s unique advice on how to improve your photography, be sure to watch the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography” with Marc Silber. Also, check out some of Hunter’s amazing shots over at HunterFreeman.com.

Photograph © Jeff Pflueger 2010. All Rights Reserved

With the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in full swing, photographers the world over are eager to learn what it takes to capture great outdoor shots in extreme environments.

In the 20th episode of “Advancing Your Photography,” Marc Silber gets a chance to learn some of these tips as he sits down for an interview with acclaimed outdoor photographer and photojournalist Jeff Pflueger. Jeff’s work has appeared in publications such as National Geographic, the New York Times, Outside, Men’s Journal and Sunset Magazine, and his assignments have brought him to some of the world’s harshest environments.

Whether it’s traveling north of the arctic circle, up “first ascent” mountain climbs or down class 5 rivers, Jeff’s sense of adventure requires him to maintain a sense of both preparation and spontaneity. This experience infuses his expertise on the subject of photography with the determination and subtlety that are singular to a master photographer.

Watch the video and you’ll learn all about:

1. How to take proper care of your equipment - With a workplace that can be in sub-zero weather or at the mercy of white-water rapids, Jeff is well aware of the importance of keeping your equipment safe from the elements. Hear what he has to say about “babying” your camera and backing up your work.

2. The importance of preparation -  A photographer’s job is to make people interested, so the trick is to show them something new. For Jeff, the key to this is research. In the interview you’ll learn all about how Jeff gets himself ready for a shoot, and why he tries to become an expert in everything he photographs.

3. Jeff’s key piece of advice for beginning photographers - Hear what Jeff calls the simplest, most important piece of advice he offers to people trying to get into photography.

To see more of Jeff Pflueger’s unique advice on how to improve your photography, be sure to watch the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography” with Marc Silber. Also, check out some of Jeff’s articles and amazing shots over at JeffPflueger.com.

Photograph © Michael Zagaris 2010. All Rights Reserved

In the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography,” Marc Silber sits down for an interview with acclaimed rock ‘n’ roll photographer Michael Zagaris. As one of the most notable names in both the music and photography worlds, Michael has been the band photographer for acts like The Who, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, and is currently the team photographer for both the San Francisco Forty-Niners and the Oakland A’s.

In a career that most artists can only dream of, Michael has picked up countless stories of his days on the road with some of the world’s most famous musicians and athletes. His ideas on style, technique and composition are a unique combination of experience and talent, and his take on the art of photography is unlike any other.

Watch the video and you’ll learn all about:

1.  What it means to be called an “Inside-Out Shooter” — Michael has gained attention over the years for his unique ability to gain insight into his subjects and capture their most intimate moments. Find out how he does it.

2.  What is it like to photograph rock royalty? –  Many of this year’s Grammy nominees appear in Michael’s images: from Carlos Santana, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, to Madonna, Bono and Bruce Springsteen (who recently won the award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance).

3.  How do you “become what you shoot?” — Though it may sound like a puzzling phrase at first, Michael’s mantra of becoming what you shoot is central to his photography. Listen in on our interview to find out what he means and how you can use it to help strengthen your craft.

To see more of Michael Zagaris’ unique advice on how to improve your photography, be sure to watch the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography” with Marc Silber. Also, check out some of Michael’s amazing shots over at www.WolfgangsVault.com.

Photograph © Chris Burkard 2009. All Rights Reserved

The latest episode of Advancing Your Photography (AYP) finds the Silber Studios team interviewing surf photography phenom Chris Burkard. At just 23, Burkard has had more success than many photographers twice his age. He has worked for over 35 national and international magazines, is the winner of the first annual Follow The Light Foundation grant, and has been the senior staff photographer for Water Magazine and Surfline.com. He also recently published his first book, The California Surf Project.

With little formal training, Chris brings a raw, youthful enthusiasm to his photography. His shots, whether they’re of surfers jetting through the curl of a wave or the sun rising behind a field of grass, show a unique ability to capture light and composition. In our interview, you’ll learn about Chris’s tips on how to elevate you photography to the next level.

1. Inspiration — The key to taking great photos, says Chris, is finding out what inspires people. Photographers are blessed to able to travel the world and bring little pieces of it back with them through their art, and your goal should be to inspire others to travel in your footsteps.

2. It’s all about the simple moments — Chris finds inspiration in simplicity. As a surf photographer, he prefers to use natural light and document surf culture with native scenes. One key piece of advice he offers is to shoot things and locations that are attainable so people can actually see themselves going there.

3. “The insect perspective” — In trying to get those unique angles, Chris sometimes uses what he calls “the insect perspective.” Get down beneath eye-level and try for a bug’s-eye view of your subjects. You’ll be surprised at the unique shots.

4. Think about what is really significant — Most photographers tend to believe what really matters is their own perspective of what they’re shooting. But as Chris says, many times it’s not what you the photographer are seeing, but rather what your subject is seeing, thinking or feeling. Considering this perspective reversal will increase your awareness and add a whole new layer of depth to your shots.

To learn more about Chris Burkard’s indispensable advice on how to advance your photography, watch the latest episode of AYP. Also, make sure to check out Chris’ site over at burkardphoto.com.

 Photograph © Teru Kuwayama 2009. All Rights Reserved.

In the latest episode of Advancing Your Photography (AYP), I interview photographer Teru Kuwayama, a veteran, well-traveled photographer who has made a name for himself as one of the leading documentary photojournalists in the industry. His work has been featured in magazines such as Outside, Fortune, Newsweek and National Geographic, and he has received numerous awards and accolades, including grants from the Alexia Foundation for World Peace and the New Fork Foundation for the Arts. He is currently on a John S. Knight Fellowship at Stanford University.

Teru’s passion for photography arises out of a need for exploration. He frequently finds himself on assignment in countries throughout Asia and the Middle East, always striving to dig deeper and ask questions. His travels in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan have brought him to the forefront of conflict, and still his curiosity pushes him further. In our interview, you’ll learn about what motivates Teru as a photographer, as well as his advice for  improving your own photography.

1. Curiosity – A desire to travel, to go deeper and to really connect with people plays a key role in Teru’s passionate photography. At the core of his work is sheer curiosity in the way things work, as well as how they don’t, and that should be your first step.

2. Be a contrarian – When Teru is handed an assignment and told to look for a specific shot, he tends to pursue the opposite. He looks for the “counter-narrative” in the story he is being told, and this allows him to be more aware of what’s really happening.

3. Compassion – The only way a viewer will be truly impacted by your work is if there is a palpable feeling between the photographer and subject. Photograph what you are passionate about.

4. Don’t think too much – Photographers, by nature, can be an obsessive breed. Even the best can lose themselves in the minutiae of their work. Ultimately, however, cameras and equipment are just a series of tools  at your disposal, and it is important not to get too distracted by anything more complicated than the act of looking at something beautiful and deciding to record it.

To hear more of Teru’s  advice on how to advance your photography, watch the latest episode of AYP. Also, be sure to check out Teru’s work over at TeruKuwayama.com.

Photograph above © Camille Seaman 2009. All Rights Reserved.

In the latest episode of Advancing Your Photography (AYP), I had the chance to interview artist and photographer Camille Seaman. Aside from having her work featured in magazines like Newsweek, Outside, Men’s Journal, Camera Arts, Issues, PDN and American Photo, Camille has also self-published several books, like Melting Away: Polar Images and My China. On top of that she has won numerous awards, including a National Geographic Award in 2006 and the Critical Mass Top Monograph Award in 2007.

The daughter of a Native American father and an African American mother, Camille offers a unique perspective on the art of photography that is at once an artistic inspiration as well as a practical set of suggestions. Watch the interview and you’ll learn all about:

1. Having a connection to your work – Raised as a part of a small Native American fishing tribe, Camille grew up knowing that she was a part of everything around her. The goal of her photography is to help people feel this connection to their planet.

2. Capturing natural light – Be sensitive to the quality of light wherever you go. Look at old paintings from the masters — Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Caravaggio — and pay attention to how they sculpt light. After sharpening her awareness to the qualities of light, Camille finds she can photograph inanimate object (like the gorgeous iceberg above) with the same intimacy she would use to shoot portraits of people.

3. The importance of your card – Camille offers an amusing if slightly scary story about a trip to Antarctica, where it was so wet that her camera strap began to unharness without her knowing. Just as she was stepping off the ship, the camera fell into a pool and was ruined by saltwater. Amazingly, her Sandisk card remained in perfect shape.

4. Composition — According to Camille, the important thing to remember when considering composition is that, as a photographer, you are trying to arrange objects in order to activate space. To do this, don’t think of the shot as three-dimensional. Think of it as a dance, where objects can interact and draw the eye, and you are the choreographer.

To see more of Camille’s indispensable advice on the art of photography, watch the newest episode of AYP. Also, be sure to check out a collection of Camille’s work over at CamilleSeaman.com.

In the latest episode of Marc Silber’s Photography Show, I interview accomplished dance and commercial photographer RJ Muna, who has made a career out of crafting innovative art. Aside from being a regular in such magazines as Commercial Arts and American Photography, RJ has won over 150 national awards, including the International Center of Photography’s Infinity Award for Applied Photography and the Lucie Award for Best Commercial Photographer.

In our interview, RJ fills us in on his preferred style, offers some helpful tips on getting the right lighting for your shoot and tells us what it’s like to photograph professional dancers. Here’s some more advice from the interview:

1. Develop a concept — Having a well-thought out concept is RJ’s essential ingredient for developing a great photo shoot. For him, the conceptual underpinning is the most important aspect. Once that is in place, all else follows.

2. How to get the right lighting — Try to start with one light, and determine where that will come from (whether it’s above, to the side, etc.). Then from there you can start to fill in the edges with key or edge lights.

3. Dance photography — When dancers come into RJ’s studio, he allows them to move freely before shooting, and then picks up on each dancer’s unique personality. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to be passionate about what you are shooting — “there is nothing more exciting than watching a human body in motion,” he says.

4. The magical element — To capture that elusive bit of magic in your work, RJ offers some great advice:  try to do something off balance from what you would expect. Put a new spin or angle on the standard, and that little bit extra will make it unique.

To see more insights into perfecting the art of photography, check out my interview with RJ Muna. Also, be sure to check out more of RJ’s work at his website, RJMuna.com.

Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. Photograph © Baldomero Fernandez 2009. All Rights Reserved.

In the latest episode of Marc Silber’s Photography Show, I interview famed fashion and portrait photographer Baldomero Fernandez. Baldomero’s work has been featured in numerous magazines and trade journals, including The New Yorker and on the cover of Life Magazine. He’s also appeared in American Photography Annuals for the last decade, and has won numerous awards, including one from MTV for his work on a PSA.

In the interview, Baldomero offers some revealing insights into his personal motivations as well as tips on advancing your own photography. Here’s a taste of what you’ll learn:

1. Tell a story — Baldomero’s biggest passion in photography comes from his ability to tell a story. Creating a narrative, whether it’s preplanned or it just comes to you on the spot, is essential to great photography.

2. Be deliberate — The secret to creating good portraiture is being deliberate. A set that looks natural and effortless only achieves this because it has been thoroughly planned. Staging and presentation are everything.

3. Keep it simple — Even though you may have a dozen of lights up, the importance of simple lighting can’t be overstated. Baldomero also tries not to give his models a lot of direction, but rather lets the environment bring out the shot.

4. Stay focused — Most artists have interests in numerous places, as well as photography, so staying on point can be difficult. Baldomero overcomes this by diving back into his images and editing out the things he gets sidetracked on.

To hear more insights from Baldomero Fernandez, check out the latest interview from The Marc Silber Show. Also, make sure to visit more of Baldomero’s work at www.baldomero.com.

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It’s alway a pleasure and an adventure to talk with Chase. This time we met up in the bay area and talked about his new book The Best Camera, his new iPhone app and other amazing things he’s been up to.  He discussed some practical advice for “turning an image on its head,” which is his signature move.  What you’ll hear is how he keeps himself inspired, in fact you’ll find it rather catching, so get ready to go out and get shots after viewing this. And yes, he does tell you what the “best camera” is. So tune in and be prepared to advance your photography…

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In the latest episode of Marc Silber’s Photography Show, I interview famed stock photographer John Lund, whose thirty-year career in photography has shaped him into one of the leading artists in the industry. Lund’s work has been featured in countless photography publications, journals and trade magazines.

During the interview, viewers are offered a candid look at a photographer with genuine skill and experience. With a style he himself describes as “clean, graphic and conceptual,” Lund offers a detailed breakdown of the process he goes through when creating each of his fantastic photographs — from initial conception, through the shooting of various images and finally to the polished product. Through this combination of high art ideas, multiple photographic images and some digital tweaking, Lund manages to create “new photographic realities [that] illustrate concepts.”

But the best part is he wants to share his techniques with you. So to hear more about Lund’s work, as well as his essential advice for both amateur and professional photographers, check out our latest photography show episode.

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I recently had the pleasure of  interviewing Anna Kuperberg, a San Francisco wedding photographer who has also been noted for her child and dog photography. She gives advice for photographers on how to approach your subjects with curiosity, and shares her techniques to capture those moments of intense emotion and love while doing so naturally. Her tip for taking better photos is to not let your equipment get in the way, which is why she recommends high capacity compact flash cards so as not to miss those decisive moments.

Tune into this episode to get her inside story for taking photos that will be cherished for years to come. This year, Anna has been featured on the cover of Photo District News and PPA magazines, and was named one of the world’s top ten wedding photographers by American Photo magazine. Her work has appeared in InStyle, People, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

You’ll love her approach and her work is stunning, check it out.

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David Smith is an award winning photographer from South Africa, who I met last year in “the bush.” David gives practical and useful tips for how to come away with natural and “inspired” photos from a safari, or just a hike in the woods with wildlife. Join us as I discuss with David how to approach animals in the wild, equipment tips and how to be prepared for action.  This interview will add a new dimension to your photography. BTW click to check out some of my shots from Aferica last year.  

 Mono Lake, in the High Sierra

We just returned from hiking a section of the 211 mile John Muir Trail. On our way to the trailhead, we stopped by Mono Lake, which Mark Twian called a “lifeless, treeless, hideous desert… the loneliest place on earth.” This was also the place where Clint Eastwood filmed the “High Plains Drifter.” In any case it is an pretty haunting place. one which draws many photographers to try to capture its stark yet mystical qualities.

Stay tuned SilberStudios.Tv where I’ll bring you a video of our hike with photo tips along the way. He’s some of the shots on our journey:

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Deanne Fitzmaurice is a multi-award wining photographer, including Microsoft’s Icons of Imaging and the big kahuna, Pulitzer Prize.  She is an amazing mixture of talent, curiosity, sensitivity, yet raw courage, rolled into a disarming package—all of which have allowed her to reach deep into the lives of her subjects.

Her work is impressive and spans many genres from sports, to politics, human (very) interest, to candids on the street, she seems to handle these images equally well.

I had the pleasure of interviewing her and finding out about her approach to her subjects, which is open, direct and honest, leading her to be very much in touch with them. And did I mention she is gutsy? To illustrate: She told me about getting a shot of Barry Bonds, who in reply glared at her. Instead of backing off she hiked across the field and confronted him and asked if he were upset with her? He popped out of his scowl and got in touch with her, with the net result of their becoming fast friends on and off the field.

She passed along some very pragmatic advice about always checking your equipment, your cards, batteries, always being aware of exactly where you stand so you’re ready for that next shot.

And what about her host of celebrity shots? Same story, she gets right in there and charmingly breaks down the barriers. Like her five minutes with Matt Damon who seemed to be annoyingly putting up with this chore, until she, being from Boston, came out with “how ’bout the ‘Sox?” and she had him.

My favorite part was her description of what makes a very powerful image: Layering. No, not as in layers in PhotoShop, but in the images themselves as she shoots them. I’ve studied a lot of photography and talked with many, many photographers, but I’ve never heard this concept so well articulated. Watch the video for this; it’s worth the price of admission alone.

I’ve gotta say, the toughest part about our interview was deciding what to leave out, there was so much of interest. Let me know how you like it.

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Not long ago, I was talking with Chris MacAskill, Co-founder of SmugMug, about filming some tips. He mentioned that he’s often asked for stories behind the huge shots taken by their members that hang on their HQ walls. That’s right folks, when you go there, after you’ve been greeted by their 3 yellow labs, the next next thing you suddenly realize is that you’re looking at grande photos everywhere. Makes sense as that’s their game. So Chris invited me over to hear about a few:

The shot of Horsetail Fall in Yosemite–was that a new “firefall” or a PhotoShop trick? How the hell did John Harrison get this shot?

Chris lead us on a tour and told us the stories of two more shots by Leping Zha, with amazing use of light and being in the right place at the right time.

And the moral to these stories? “Chance favors the prepared mind” as Ansel Adams was fond of saying. What can you learn from these shots? Go after those images that you’ve visualized, find the right moment and capture them. But watch for yourself.

Tell me your stories about your shots and attach them to your comment, love to see what you’ve got and hear how you captured it: the magic of photography and capturing the moment.

Ken “Skindog” Collins at the “Hook” near Santa Cruz

Jeff Flindt– Senior Staff Photog for Surfing Magazine, sent me an email last Thursday that he was here is Santa Cruz to get the south swell that was coming in–and indeed he did as you can see here.  BTW the guys on these waves are big wave legends. I talked to Jeff a couple of times a over the weekend,  just between shoots–he is totally dedicated to getting the shots and works for it. “Gotta go get in the water!” As he hung up and grabbed his gear to get these shots. Also of note when he called he was at Ano Nuevo near a seal breading area and  a favorite snacking spot for the Great White sharks. Yes Jeff is dedicated to his craft!

To get more insight in his approach,  be sure to check out my show with Jeff here. 

Jason “Ratboy” Collins at the “Hook” near Santa Cruz

Ps: Managed to get out yesterday to catch passel of waves with my son Ian–we were both stoked to surf into the late afternoon, that’s what it’s all about…

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We had a wonderful time visiting Bambi Cantrell at her studio in Benicia last week. Winding our way through the sleepy artist town on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, we came upon her studio in a converted 19th century armory. Bambi greeted us with a smile and gave us a tour; I was immediately struck by her warm and welcoming personality and by this perfect environment for photography—immense ceilings, windows opening to the bay, tons of light and life.

Bambi is a total pro and when we were rolling she gave direct, spot on and immediately usable tips: How she identifies the key light in a room using her hand. How she puts her subjects at ease with her easy and playful approach. Her of course, anti-nerd reminder, “You have to know and f-stop from a bus stop but at the end of the day, cameras don’t take pictures, people do. At the end of the day, expression beats perfection”

Click to tune in and catch her great tips. Here’s a small sample of what you’ll see:

We’ll be shooting an episode covering fashion photography, a fascinating world, and one quite different than those we’ve covered to date.

RC Rivera has an intriguing portfolio and sent me a sample of his work with note about his lighting:

“Katherine”

“When I was starting out I thought the more complex the lighting, the better the shot. Now I think that getting a great photo using the most simple setup is actually more difficult but also more rewarding.  This model was shot in my studio with using just one soft box. Shooting from just below eye level is great for beauty shots, but too low can be very unflattering. Katherine was a great sport—my studio was unheated and it was in the middle of the winter. You can tell she’s a professional because she doesn’t even look chilly.”

We’ll be picking his brains, how he approaches a shoot, other lighting tips, etc. Let me know your questions and a may include them if you stay on the right track, guys Stay tuned for this episode coming your way on MSPS soon.

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Ansel Adams was an ultimate icon of photography for me growing up. I read The Eloquent Light, his biography by Nancy Newhall when I was about 12 and was totally caught up by his ability to capture images in nature coupled with his deep commitment to the environment—myself being both a photographer and a budding outdoorsman.

Shortly after that Ansel came to my school—the Peninsula School, and had a exhibition in our gallery upstairs. I well recall my mom talking him about his shots of Manzanar where she had met him during “the war”—being introduced to him by her is an indelible image in my mind, but I regret there was no actual photo of that moment.

I went on to read all of his books on photography, which I highly recommend for basics of photography nowhere else covered.

Many years went by and I had the opportunity to interview Michael Adams in Yosemite, in fact at Glacier Point, before the park service opened the road for the season, so we literally had the place to ourselves. Michael then invited us to come to Ansel’s (now his) home on the Monterey peninsula. You can imagine the experience of walking in and taking in his home!

We shot a segment in his gallery where Michael told me stories behind many of Ansel’s classic work, including Moonrise, Hernandez, one of his most haunting images, from Michael’s perspective as a 7 year old.

We then went through his darkroom, the darkroom—fully custom made by Ansel, like none I have ever seen. You’ll see images of Ansel actually at work in it, printing his images. (Thank you to his family for loaning us this unreleased footage.) You’ll get an idea of how he was able to interpret his images as he had visualized them at the time of shooting. Whether you are purely a digital photographer or not, drink this in as the basis for our modern photography, for example you’ll see tools in use that live on in photo-software today.

I feel indeed fortunate to have had this experience and to see the surrounds that Ansel saw on the coastline every day. I’m really happy to share this rare glimpse into the world of a true master.