Welcome to Backyard Shots photography library. Here you will find photography tips from our pros as well as video critiques and more. Please check back often as we are still growing this part of our site.
Road Trip to the Midwest March 6th, 2013
Back in January, I took a road trip to the Midwest for business, but left myself enough time to stop and shoot whatever I wanted along the way. Of course there were some locations I did plan in advance, but for the most part it was just drive and stop as I pleased. The images I am sharing in... [Read More] |  |
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Architecture - Members Photo Challenge March 5th, 2013
Our photo challenge for the months of March and April is Architecture. Each photo challenge has a set of guidelines, which are listed below. Please be sure to read everything below, before submitting your image.
CHALLENGE: Architecture. Be creative and send us your best... [Read More] |  |
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Waterfalls, Rivers & More Photography Workshop February 27th, 2013
Backyard Shots is pleased to present a weekend photography workshop with pro photographer David Akoubian of Bear Woods Photography assisted by Kel Kyle of Backyard Shots. We will be staying at the Parker Ranch in Clayton, GA and photographing nearby waterfalls, rivers and more!... [Read More] |  |
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Tamron SP AF 60mm F/2 Di II LD IF Review February 26th, 2013
A while back I competed in a street portraiture photography competition hosted by Backyard Shots and Tamron USA. The entries were judged by the excellent street photographer, Craig Tanner. In looking at the great entries for that competition I was completely blown away when it was announced that I... [Read More] |  |
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Triptych Photo Contest - Win A Tamron Lens! November 28th, 2012
Backyard Shots is pleased to present our year end photo contest sponsored by Tamron USA!
Submit your best triptych for a chance to win a TAMRON SP 70-300/4-5.6 Di VC USD LENS!!
THEME: Triptych
A Triptych is a series of three photographs... [Read More] |  |
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Triptych - Visual Storytelling with Photography November 21st, 2012
A Triptych is a series of three photographs presented on one canvas that tells more of the story than a single image would. Learn more about triptych's and how to create one using Adobe Photoshop.... [Read More] |  |
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Tamron 18-270/3.5-6.3 DiII VC PZD September 24th, 2012
I was quite surprised to learn that my image won the grand prize of a Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5 - 6.3 Di IIVC PZD, choice of one Backyard Shots guide, Tamron eco-friendly bag and lens cloth. I didn’t expect it at all.
Once the lens got here, I immediately put it on my camera and went... [Read More] |  |
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Fireworks June 26th, 2012
Our photo challenge for the months of July and August is Fireworks. Each photo challenge has a set of guidelines, which are listed below. Please be sure to read everything below, before submitting your image.
CHALLENGE: Fireworks. Be creative and send us your best shot of... [Read More] |  |
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Urban Decay April 21st, 2012
Our photo challenge for the months of April and May is Urban Decay. Each photo challenge has a set of guidelines, which are listed below. Please be sure to read everything below, before submitting your image.
CHALLENGE: Urban Decay is all around us from rusting cars to... [Read More] |  |
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Still Life Photo Contest - Win A Tamron Lens! (CLOSED) March 20th, 2012
Backyard Shots is pleased to present our first photo contest for 2012!
Submit your best still life image for a chance to win a TAMRON 18-270mm Di II VC PZD LENS!!
THEME: Still Life
Still life images can be created from just about anything that doesn't... [Read More] |  |
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A Moment of Reflection February 21st, 2012
Our photo challenge for the months of February and March is A Moment of Reflection. Each photo challenge has a set of guidelines, which are listed below. Please be sure to read everything below, before submitting your image.
CHALLENGE: Show us what "A Moment of... [Read More] |  |
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Tamron 60mm f/2 Macro Lens January 21st, 2012
"I am really enjoying this Tamron lens. Its a great addition to my lens kit for doing Street Portraits. Its sharp, very fast, light weight, focuses quickly and focuses very close. I also love the colors and contrast I get with this lens. And yes it has beautiful circular bokeh." -- Craig Tanner of... [Read More] |  |
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Repetition and Patterns January 5th, 2012
Our photo challenge for the month of January is Repetition and Patterns. Each photo challenge has a set of guidelines, which are listed below. Please be sure to read everything below, before submitting your image.
CHALLENGE: Repetition and... [Read More] |  |
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Holiday Photos - Abstract Photography December 9th, 2011
Are you looking for something a little different in your Christmas photos this year? One of my favorite ways to photograph almost anything is to do so in an abstract way. There are several ways to create an abstract image of a scene. One way, motion blur, is a great way to make your... [Read More] |  |
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Christmas Light Tips - Outdoor Photography December 5th, 2011
Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is only a few weeks away. I, like many folks, enjoy going out and viewing all of the holiday decorations. I like to check out local venues such as Botanical Gardens for the light shows they set up. Every year I am asked how to correctly... [Read More] |  |
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Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC Lens December 1st, 2011
The grand prize winner of our first photo contest (Historic Oakland Cemetery), Clay Brandenburg shares his thoughts and a few of the photos he's taken with his prize, the Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD (model A005) lens.
First, I love... [Read More] | |
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Still Life (Member Photo Challenge) November 13th, 2011
Our photo challenge for the months of November and December is Still Life. Each photo challenge has a set of guidelines, which are listed below. Please be sure to read everything below, before submitting your image.
CHALLENGE: Still Life
Wikipedia... [Read More] |  |
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Craig Tanner's Street Portraiture Live Chat November 1st, 2011
In Part 1 of our live chat with Craig Tanner, Craig discusses one of his favorite areas of photography - Street Portraiture.
This video is over forty minutes long and as such the first time you launch the player there may be a short delay for the video to feed... [Read More] |  |
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Intro To Sports Photography - "Time To Get Serious" October 28th, 2011
In my first two articles I discussed how to prepare for a sports shoot and how to photograph sports with less than ideal equipment. With that behind us, now it’s time to get serious.
You know the team, the venue, to look for things other than action shots, etc. So what equipment do... [Read More] |  |
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Primary Colors - Red, Blue or Yellow (Member Photo Challenge) October 4th, 2011
Our photo challenge for the month of October is all about primary colors (red, blue or yellow). Each photo challenge has a set of guidelines, which are listed below. Please be sure to read everything below, before submitting your image.
CHALLENGE: Primary Colors -... [Read More] |  |
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Understanding the Histogram on Your Camera to Make Better Photos September 30th, 2011
What is a histogram?
The histogram on your camera lets you view the exposure of your photos so you will know whether your photo is too light or too dark. This is important since there are so many times that we cannot really see the image on the LCD screen because of bright... [Read More] |  |
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Street Portraiture Photo Contest (CLOSED) September 20th, 2011
STREET PORTRAITURE PHOTO CONTEST
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR WINNERS
Backyard Shots is pleased to present our second photo contest for 2011.
Submit your best street portraiture image for a chance to win a Tamron SP AF60mm F/2 Di... [Read More] | |
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Intro To Sports Photography - “The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You” September 4th, 2011
The title of this article comes from a photography adage coined by Chase Jarvis and it also applies to sports photography. There is a misconception that to capture a good sports photo you need high end equipment capable of fast shutter speeds and high ISO. This article will tell you how to get the... [Read More] |  |
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One, Two, Three Twilights August 11th, 2011
Lighting is a critical consideration when setting up any shot. The right lighting can give depth and warmth to an image that would be otherwise unremarkable.
Twilight, the delicious waxing and waning of the day, has long been the darling of photographers. Officially this time is measured... [Read More] |  |
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Intro To Sports Photography - Four Simple Steps For A Good Shoot August 8th, 2011
The key to a successful sports shoot is preparation. There are four things you can do before you photograph a sporting event that will have a positive impact on your results. They are:
Know your camera
Know the game and the participants
Understand your environment
... [Read More] |  |
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Shutter Speeds – how they change mood in an image July 26th, 2011
When I am creating images, my goal it to draw the viewer into the image with great light and subject matter. The composition of the image is how I try to lead the viewer through the image and eventually lead them to key points within the image. In order to keep the viewer interested it is important... [Read More] | |
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"Peggy" - Street Portraiture July 11th, 2011
In Part 1 of this two part video, Craig Tanner discusses one of his favorite areas of photography - Street Portraiture and what that means to him. He gives us the backstory on this image of Peggy and the importance of building a relationship with those you wish... [Read More] |  |
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"Marion" - Street Portraiture July 6th, 2011
We are honored that Craig Tanner from The Mindful Eye Photography School has featured one of his images (an outtake from the guide) from the Backyard Shots "Street Portraiture with Craig Tanner" shoot.
Craig used only one lens for this shoot, Tamron's SP AF60mm F/2 Dii Macro... [Read More] |  |
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Photographing the 4th of July July 1st, 2011
The fourth of July is Monday and many photographers will be photographing fireworks displays for the first time or will be wanting to improve on their past fireworks photography. Here are some tips for great fireworks photography from one of Backyard Shots pro photographers, Craig... [Read More] | |
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Backyard Shots First Giveaway! June 30th, 2011
Announcing Backyard Shots first giveaway: Domke/Tamron Shoulder Camera Bag with Domke Gripper Shoulder strap!
Domke/Tamron Shoulder Camera Bag
Use this versatile carrying case as a still camera bag, smaller DSLR's and most point and shoots or as a small camcorder case. Includes... [Read More] |  |
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Focus Points
How changing your focus point can change your image by David Akoubian.
One thing I do when I am determining the best composition in an image is to change focal points whether it be in my mind or in the camera. With digital it is easier to see the visualization because of the LCD screen... [Read More] |  |
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Understanding Nature Photography
Anyone who has attended my nature photography workshops knows that I’m a naturalist first and photographer second. This stems from my childhood days using a pair of binoculars and the Peterson field guides to explore and roam the mountains surrounding my home in southern West... [Read More] | _Jim_Clark-thumb.jpg) |
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Street Portraiture Tips
One of the many photography workshops, Craig Tanner teaches is street portraiture. The Street Portraiture Workshop in Savannah, Ga. where the focus of the workshop is impromptu portraits of people we are just meeting on the street. On the workshop I call these people the "strangers we... [Read More] |  |
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Pullman Car Photo - HDR Photography
This photo by Backyard Shots Founder, Kel Kyle is featured on our "Photography Southeastern Railway Museum - HDR".
Craig Tanner of the Mindful Eye Photography School featured this image on his website TMELive.com as a video critique. With Craig's permission... [Read More] |  |
