By Chamira Young

If there's one thing Michigan has no shortage of throughout the state, it's scenic nature trails. Combined with a plethora of beautiful trees and - if you time it right - lovely weather, it's the perfect recipe for a fun walk to capture the mood of nature. It's a great way to practice creativity "just because" and keep your passion for your craft alive. If you're a pro or semi-pro, sometimes this passion can get lost in the day-to-day challenges of running your business. That's why it's invaluable to do an occasional fun project just for the thrill of it.

The images in this post were taken with Tamron's fantastic 35-150mm/2.8-4 lens. I love its versatility: while it's a great portrait lens, I find it's wonderful for outdoor photography in general. And given that I'm still mending from a hip injury, it's extremely useful to have a lens that does a bit of the walking for me!

The goal of my nature walk was to capture the mood of the path, the ambience of the time of day, and also my own personal creative expression as an artist. After capturing the images, I took them into Lightroom and played with the Adjustment Brush to adjust the exposure, shadows, and temperature of each image. 

I also couldn't resist snapping a photo of the leaves beneath my boots, as I found them to be an interesting visual texture.

If you haven't done so recently, get out in the great outdoors and unleash your creativity. It may give you that much-needed kick of inspiration you've been missing. And be sure to check out Tamron's fantastic 35-150mm/2.8-4 lens. It will raise the bar on your quality of work!

Intro by Chamira Young

Whether you consider yourself a pro, semi-pro, or hobbyist photographer, you should always be looking for creative ideas to push the envelope of your creativity. Much of the fun of being a photographer is learning new things and exploring the possibilities. This includes being inspired by other fellow photographers!

That's why we love the series "One location, One Lesson, One Lens" the team at Tamron passionately produces. It gives you a first-hand peek over the shoulder of a professional photographer as they utilize their lenses, interact with their subjects, and create amazing images. In today's featured video, we get a fun look at how photographer Michael Gilbert interacts with his model and grabs some amazing shots with the new Tamron 35-150mm lens. Talk about an amazing piece of glass! Check it out below and get ready to be inspired!

And meeting these phenomenal pros are just part of the excitement. 

• Tamron’s 28-75mm F/2.8 for Sony mirrorless, the new portrait zoom 35-150mm F/2.8-4 VC and the much lauded SP 35mm F/1.4 prime will be available to try out at the pet studio. Sessions are Thu. & Fri. at 10:30, 1:00 and 3:30 & Sat. at 10:30, 1:00 and 2:30. Images made in the studio help support the adoption of the dogs through Best Friends Animal Society.
  
• Try out a new prime for mirrorless or DSLR and all other Tamron lenses in the booth studio where the Tamron pros will be in the studio all day to assist you with posing and lighting tips. The full pro schedule will be posted at Tamron booth #620.

• Bring your Tamron lens by for an expert 4-point inspection and cleaning while you wait.
• Enter for a chance to WIN a new Tamron SP 35mm F/1.4 Di USD ($899 value).
• Up to $100 bonus rebates on top of Instant Savings on select Tamron lenses purchases at the show. See Tamron for rebate form.

​It's all happening in booth 620, right up front as you enter the main hall for PPE! And Tamron's Pet Studio is right next door! Here's your chance to meet and learn from some of the very best and test drive some of the very best glass in photography!

And, if you're interested in learning more about each of the Tamron pros who will be in the booth, click on their image above. They've all had feature pieces here at SCU, including podcasts!

by Skip Cohen
 
​With each new "chef" who joins us in the Tamron kitchen, I like to go off in search of a quote that seems to fit their style and personality. Rick Friedman is definitely a photographer and educator who believes in fun. You can see it in every class he teaches. Walk by the Tamron booth at a convention or into a Tamron dealer where Rick is doing a demo, and you'll instantly be drawn to a photographer having fun! 

While I've known Rick for a lot of years, we never seemed to find quality time to hang out and talk until a couple of years ago. That changed in 2018 at WPPI, and since then, we've worked on several different projects together. When he recently became one of Tamron's newest Ambassadors, it was the perfect time to have him join us in this series.
 
Rick's best known around the world for his work as a photojournalist for the last 40+ years. In the podcast, he talked about the backstory of getting his first magazine cover on the right.

But, Rick's also an educator, and he's been teaching for the last sixteen years. He's well-respected as one of the leaders in lighting. It's under that umbrella of education that he's had an impact on thousands of photographers.

As we discussed in this new podcast, being a successful photojournalist and educator is about relationship building. It's about establishing trust with the clients as a photographer and the students in any class or demonstration. Even a twenty-minute demo on the floor of a busy trade show requires a level of trust with the attendees!

​Click on any of Rick's images below to visit his website. I pulled some of my favorites, but there was so much from which to choose.

"Chef" Rick's recipe is a click away if you missed it last week. And, check out two Tamron lenses that are a critical part of Rick's creative tools, no matter what the subject. Click on either thumbnail for more information.  
 
Rick shared a lot of great insight in this new podcast. He's based in Boston, but the world is his home. As you look through his images, it's obvious wherever his creative eye and camera's needed, that's where he's going to be.

​As Rick pointed out in the podcast, he believes in the expression, nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

Having lived in Boston a significant part of my life, Arthur Fiedler was a very special legend. Rick captured the image below shortly before Fiedler passed away, and all it took was a knock on his door.

The next thing you know, he's sitting in Arthur Fiedler's bedroom, having a conversation with one of the greatest conductors of all time! And what was Fiedler doing when Rick joined him? Reading music!

From photojournalism on the campaign trail to travel to lighting workshops and published editorial images, I'm not sure there isn't anything "Chef" Rick hasn't photographed!

Intro by Skip Cohen

As I've written so many times, the fun of this industry isn't just about photography, but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft.​

Meet Dave Williams. He's a travel photographer, writer, educator, blogger and social media influencer based in the UK. Besides our mutual love for the craft, we share some great friendships, starting with the team at Platypod, the Kelby Media crew. I know as time goes on we'll find more common denominators.

Working together with the team at Tamron USA and Platypod, I saw one of Dave's images recently and talked him into a short guest post. The image above is a forty-seven-second exposure! It brings together Dave's creativity with Tamron's quality and Platypod's stability.

Dave might be based in the UK, and five-thousand miles away, but in cyberspace, it's only a click of a mouse! The Internet has made the world an incredibly small place, allowing us to share images, videos, and conversations in a way that's changing all of our lives! 

​Dave needs to be on your radar. Check out Dave's website with a click on his image above and follow his blog too. You'll also find more of Dave's work as part of "Travel Tuesday" today on the Platypod blog.

By Dave Williams

​As part of a little mission to north Wales earlier this year I shot the lighthouse at Penmon Point.  
 
Penmon Point Light is pretty iconic as far as UK lighthouses go. Guarding ships from the shallow, rocky waters of the Menai Strait between Anglesey and Puffin Island, this iconic black and white striped lighthouse has stood since 1838. Its purpose is to mark the channel of safe passage between the two islands. The sea here is rough, owing to the shallow waters, steep beaches, and underlying rocks. To get here involves crossing private land, and as such the landowner charges a toll of £3 ($4.50) which is used to maintain the road and land.
 
When you get to the end of the road there’s a car park and a small shop selling drinks and ice cream and offering restrooms at this popular spot, but I by-passed that and headed straight for the rocks. My aim in this visit was to shoot the lighthouse using a Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 and calming the sea with a 10-stop (ND3) filter.
 
I soon learned just how slippery the rocks were and began to take extra caution as I crossed them as far as I could to the waters edge, with that very water breaking around the rocks I was stepping on. I found my spot and set up my rig, which was entirely hanging around me from my BlackRapid strap: - I had my Nikon D810 with my Tamron 70 – 200mm f/2.8 lens which was attached to my Platypod Ultra with a 3LeggedThing ballhead, and I used the Platypod screw spikes to make sure nothing slid across the rocks.

​On the front of the lens was my Gobe 10-stop filter, and firing the camera was a Pluto Trigger, controlled with my iPhone. The sky was overcast, which is fairly typical for us here in the UK, but there was just enough texture and difference in those clouds that the sky wasn’t completely flat. Just as the sun dipped below the horizon the clouds split, but I couldn’t hand around long as I had to go find my hotel for the night before shooting sunrise the next morning.
 
It was a long trip, but a trip that was absolutely worth making, and a shoot made simple and effective with the gear I was using.

 
Today, you've got the most creative tools in the history of photography. Many of them thanks to Tamron!

Tamron is manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging optics. Isn't it time you visited your Tamron retailer?

Click on the banner above for more information about one of Dave's favorite lenses. And, check out the current instant savings promotion, which includes the 70-200 mm F/2.8 Di VC USD lens.

by Skip Cohen
 
If you're new to this series, I like to find a quote that seems to fit our guest "chef." After several phone conversations, followed by the podcast above, there's no question that Teal Garcia loves what she does, and her images clearly meet the definition of "great work."

Over the years, I've looked at hundreds, if not thousands, of online galleries and portfolios. One of the things I've noticed, often recognizable immediately, is the artist's ability to capture emotion. It's not just in the expressions of the subjects, but the composition, use of depth of field and even the exposure. 

One of the industry's most celebrated portrait photographers, Don Blair, used to say, "You have to learn the rules before you're allowed to break them." Teal Garcia has learned them all but chooses to violate them whenever it adds impact to a portrait. In the process, she spends a lot of time listening to her clients, building trust, and then the relationship necessary to capture their personalities in front of the camera.

Being a successful portrait artist isn't as much about the final photograph itself, but creating an experience for the client. It's about sharing your passion for the craft with your subject. It means being so involved in the process of capture, that the only difference between the artist and the client is a few feet.

Click on any of Teal's images below to visit her website. I pulled some of my favorites from her Instagram page as well. Teal Garcia should be on your radar!

by Skip Cohen

Ever feel like time is passing incredibly fast, like the hands on a clock spinning in an old movie? As we share a new "Tamron Recipes" with another "chef," I'm amazed this is now the ninth in the series. Each one has captured the passion of another chef when "cooking" with Tamron. Tamron's outstanding optical quality combined with the skillset of each guest has created a remarkably diverse body of work. 
   
Teal Garcia joins us in the Tamron Kitchen in this new episode. While her lens choice and skillset are obviously part of her success, it's her love for the craft that's a big part of the foundation for everything she does. ​With every Tamron Recipes post, I always go off in search of a quote that seems to fit both our guest "chef" and the image along with the upcoming podcast to be aired.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life,
and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.
And the only way to do great work is love what you do.
Steve Jobs

About "Chef" Teal: For the last year Teal's been based out of Oahu, Hawaii. It's a big change of scenery from previously living in Oklahoma. She's an internationally recognized award-winning portrait photographer, and there's a great line in her bio I want to share:

"I have an obsession with what I do and I love a good adventure."

Teal's husband is in the military and currently based out of Pearl Harbor. Having been around the military world in our own family, I can't help but think all the travel in Teal's life has contributed to her passion for adventure. Plus, think about how she's had to keep her skillset well-developed in order to create beautiful portraits in a wide variety of environments, no matter where she's based!

​Part II of Teal's recipe series is coming next Tuesday. You can be sure we'll be talking about the challenges of relocation; her mind's eye visions when she's working with a client and her absolute love for photography. Her website is just a click away.

Intro by Chamira Young

Not only is it a great idea to challenge ourselves as artists, but it plays a vital role in keeping us sharp for the long-term! For anyone looking for a much-needed creative boost, consider changing things up once and a while and trying something new in your photography practice.

​The good news is that deciding to step outside of your comfort zone doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, one great way is to experiment with a different lens than you're accustomed to in a given situation. In today's post, photographer Don Mammoser does just that!

Prior to heading on vacation to the Southern Caribbean with his family, he decided to switch things up. Instead of using a long lens while site-seeing, he decided to stick with the wide-angle Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8 Di wide-angle lens. It's a fantastic piece of glass, as Tamron never disappoints!

As you will see, getting out of your comfort zone is a great way to have fun and learn in the process! Check out the results he got below.

By Jenn Gidman
Images By Don Mammoser
​

When Don Mammoser and his wife decided to head to Grenada for a 17-day vacation with their 10-month-old daughter, Don decided to pose a challenge for himself: Because he often takes his travel photos with longer lenses, this time around he decided to try to capture the bulk of his images with the Tamron 17-35mm F/2.8 Di wide-angle lens. "I wanted to see what I could come up with if I just left that one lens on my camera most of the time," he says. "I loved capturing the landscapes and island scenery, as well as some of the local flavor, with just the 17-35. Plus, because of its light weight and compact size, I was able to do much of my shooting handheld, which was really convenient when my wife, daughter, and I were just walking around playing tourist."

Read on for the backstory on each of the photos here that Don captured in this tropical multi-island paradise in the southern Caribbean:
​

This photo was taken at Hillsborough Beach, on the island of Carriacou. We were staying at a resort just across the road, and we'd walk over to the beach every night when it was getting close to sunset. There are many people known as yachtees who own sailboats and cruise the Caribbean, and you'll often spot boats hanging out offshore from many of these beaches.

On this evening I was looking directly west, where the sun was going down behind those peaks and lighting up the clouds. I stopped down to 1/12th of a second, just to show a bit of the wave action. I also lined the image up so that I could capture the diagonal line of the surf meeting the shore heading up into those hills. Of course, to get that perspective, I had to get down on the ground and into the water a little—but the water was warm, I was wearing shorts and sandals, and my camera stayed dry, so it was all good.
​

My wife, daughter, and I were taking a stroll along the beach at sunset, and I spotted this one well-positioned palm tree. I knew I wanted to make this a silhouette shot, but I decided to add a human element to it. I told my wife to stand out there and play with my daughter. They were just out there having fun, my daughter giggling the entire time.

I underexposed the photo a bit and shot at a fast shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second, because obviously they're both in motion a little as my wife lifts her up. I lined it up to make sure the tree had its own space and my family had their own space, so they didn't go up into the branches of the tree with their silhouettes.
​

My wife, daughter, and I were taking a stroll along the beach at sunset, and I spotted this one well-positioned palm tree. I knew I wanted to make this a silhouette shot, but I decided to add a human element to it. I told my wife to stand out there and play with my daughter. They were just out there having fun, my daughter giggling the entire time.

I underexposed the photo a bit and shot at a fast shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second, because obviously they're both in motion a little as my wife lifts her up. I lined it up to make sure the tree had its own space and my family had their own space, so they didn't go up into the branches of the tree with their silhouettes.
​

​Be sure to check out Tamron's events schedule. Their team is on the road with great programs/events throughout the entire year!

by Skip Cohen

​If you've followed my posts for the last year or so, then the name Robert Vanelli won't be new to you. Attend just about any convention, and you'll find him walking the trade show, teaching or networking. He's a powerhouse and certainly not new to SCU. We've shared several of his images, and our adventures together have been highlighted in several blog posts.

He's an author, educator, podcaster, filmmaker, photographer and a good friend to so many of us in the industry. He's also one of those people who you meet, and a few months later you can't remember when he WASN'T in your life!  "Vanelli" needs to be on your radar. Click on his image above to link to his website, and if you're looking for his podcasts and articles, they're at Photofocus.com - just a click away.

Recently he was shooting with Tamron's SP 35mm lens. When I saw the image above, I knew it had to be shared on Tamron Tuesday.  He captured the image with a Nikon D810, the Tamron 35mm F/1.8 Di VC US lens. The exposure triad was f6.3 @ 1/50 ISO 800. It was all natural light and shot in aperture priority.
 
The model is Amber Intelisano, photographed at Tank America in Melbourne, Florida.

Tamron never slows down in the quality of their manufacturing and today is making some of the very finest optics in imaging! See the entire product line with a visit to the Tamron dealer nearest you.

Images copyright Voortex Productions. All rights reserved.

“Two or three things I know for sure, and one of them is that to go on living I have to tell stories,
​that stories are the one sure way I know to touch the heart and change the world.”
Dorothy Allison

by Skip Cohen
 
I love starting each Tamron Recipe with a quote that points out some unique characteristic of our "Chef." Well, it only took a few minutes to find a statement that describes Chef Charley Voorhis. He's a passionate storyteller, explorer, and adventurer. He's always focused on finding ways to expand the viewer's understanding of a subject via his filmmaking and still images. And, like the quote above he touches our hearts and changes the world one frame at a time.

A few weeks ago, I was able to sit in on one of Charley's workshops at ClickCon in Chicago. As he talked about the essential elements of a story, I couldn't help but notice that distinctive look you see on an artist's face when they're in the groove. Talking about filmmaking is all part of Charley's persona, and as an educator, he's entirely focused on the importance of the power of a great story when told in a film.

The short video below about Charley's company, Voortex Productions, says it all...
                                                             
​                                                             "We believe in the power of stories!"

​Besides his love for imaging and storytelling, another quality immediately comes out in any conversation with Charley - he's a team player. While the videos he shares are deeply rooted in his visions, it's his crew that helps him turn them into reality. Together they've written some of the best stories in imaging!

And check out the entire Tamron family of outstanding glass with a visit to your Authorized USA Dealer. Just click on the banner above to find the dealer nearest you!

While most of the work shared in the Voortex Productions portfolio are video projects and campaigns, their Instagram and Facebook pages show more about their diversity and expertise. I pulled a few of my favorite still images, but check out their videos and pay close attention to the way they tell each client's story! Click on any image below to visit Voortex Productions.

All images copyright Voortex Productions. All rights reserved.

By Chamira Young

There's nothing like upgrading a lens and seeing how it can revolutionize your work. I recall the first time I decided to do my first lens upgrade years ago, and couldn't believe I hadn't done it sooner! The quality of my work instantly skyrocketed, especially as I tested and became familiar with my new equipment.

Speaking of testing and becoming familiar with new glass, today's post is going to demonstrate how versatile and fun Tamron's SP 15-30mm F/2.8 lens is. A great piece of glass is a powerful asset to any photographer's repertoire, and when it comes to high quality glass, Tamron walks the walk. I decided to embark on a journey to see how flexible this lens could be while still maintaining high-level quality. Spoiler alert: I was not disappointed in the least! From up close portraits to panoramic shots, this lens is great for a variety of situations.

​Nature

Next, I couldn't resist heading down to my favorite local park, hopping on my kick scooter, and grabbing some fun nature shots. ​I absolutely love the level of both foreground to background sharpness the lens was able to capture.
​

Panoramas

Finally, I wanted to really push the envelope in terms of how large of an object I could capture, so grabbing a shot of a local freighter crawling by was the logical decision. This behemoth felt like it was practically on top of me, and yet the lens allowed me to capture it in its entirety. As for the bridge behind it, I managed to capture a solid chunk of the structure.

"Dream big; work hard; stay focused and surround yourself with good people."
​Author Unknown

In looking for a quote to kick off Part II of our Tamron Recipes with "Chef" Erica Robinson, the quote above hit me as an almost perfect description of her work and her focus. She shares a lot of great insight in this new podcast. She's an incredibly passionate artist with a focus on not just her subject matter but adventure.

Here's my point about Erica - she's an adventurer, loving to travel and capture the stories she's able to tell with her camera. She works hard but never loses sight of the fun aspect of photography, her love for people, and new places. As part of the Tamron team, she's surrounded herself with good people. There's a line on her about page that really describes her love for the craft:

My hope, is that with one little tip or story, it will encourage YOU to explore, dare you to dance with a stranger, or inspire a new challenge in your photography and travel journey.

At a time where so many photographers waste space in their bios talking about their gear, awards, and experience, Erica shares her goal and part of her dream - to inspire us to push the boundaries on creativity and capturing our own stories. 

I hope you'll take the time for a scroll through Erica's galleries. Her images demonstrate her love for travel, people, and creativity. I pulled a few of my favorites for this post, but they don't begin to illustrate the world through Erica's eyes. Click on any image to visit her website and see more of her work.

Erica's working with one of her most favorite lenses, Tamron's SP 85mm F.1.8 Di VC USD lens. Tamron's making some of the finest optics in the world, and their part of their description online says it all:
​
"Just as a painter instinctively reaches for the right brush, a portrait artist reaches for an 85mm lens...The Tamron SP 85mm F/1.8 is the world's first* 85mm fast-aperture lens with image stabilization...What's more, our SP 85mm F/1.8 delivers edge-to-edge viewfinder brightness..."

"Chef" Erica's recipe is a click away if you missed it two weeks ago. Check out the SP 85mm lens with a click on the thumbnail to the right. And, v​isit your Tamron dealer to check this lens out for yourself.

In the podcast we talked about some of the workshops Erica's involved with. Tamron's schedule of local events and trade shows is easily accessible through the banner below. They never slow down in helping photographers raise the bar on the quality of their images, or manufacturing great glass!

by Skip Cohen

Two weeks ago, I shared a Tamron video featuring the work of Erik Stensland. While I usually don't share videos with the same artist so close to one another, after watching this one, it so deserved to be seen by more photographers. 

To start, I love Erik's honesty and the way he talks about burning out in his "previous life," and turning to landscape photography. I've heard so many stories from photographers over the years about how they got started, often making the transition from another career field through their passion for imaging. 

Second, I love the way Tamron has taken the needs artists have for the various features of the SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens and brought them together with Erik's needs while out shooting. 

Tamron is on a never-ending quest to manufacture the finest glass in photography. They're providing artists with great tools to help capture everyone's goal - the search for the ultimate image.

Erik's working with the SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens and with a click of your mouse on the thumbnail to the right you can find out more. And check it out for yourself by visiting your local Tamron retailer or catching up to members of the Tamron team at any of their upcoming events!

The Tamron team is dedicated to helping photographers raise the bar on their skill set and provide them with some of the finest creative tools in photography!

by Skip Cohen

Working together with the team at Tamron USA, Chamira Young and I started this series in January, making this our seventh episode of Tamron Recipes. As I've written in the past, we completely underestimated what we'd learn about and from each featured artist, as well as the fun we'd have in the process. "Fun" is one of those lost words in business today, but each artist has expressed their love for the craft in so many different ways and they're definitely having fun!

There's a quote credited to several people, including Steve Jobs and Confucius: "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!" Well, each artist is dedicated not only to their specialty but virtually every aspect of imaging. They've shared incredible insight into their growth as artists, and their dedication to telling a story with each image they capture, and always with Tamron lenses. 

A passion for "giving back" has been a common denominator as each chef has opened their heart and shared a wealth of knowledge. They've allowed us to share their recipe for a single image and then expand it to their ingredients for growth in their skill set and business, often going well beyond their photographs. 

With every Tamron Recipes post, we always share a quote about the recipe for success.  I recently found this one by Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker who passed away in 2009. 

Success Recipe
2 cups faith, 2 cups love, 1 cup hard work, 1 cup persistence, 1 tbsp vision and a dash of swagger
Jim Rohn

We're jumping into the Tamron Kitchen today with "Chef" Erica Robinson. While the previous posts started with a phone call or two, today's is a little unique because Chef Erica isn't just a working artist, but also a dedicated member of Tamron's technical support team. I've met Erica many times before and she's no stranger to SCU readers having been featured in previous posts. 

When I found the recipe for success by Jim Rohn, I couldn't help but notice how well it described Erica. She's filled with faith in her skill set and understanding of the craft. She loves photography and has a passion for wearing the Tamron hat and working with other artists - if you've ever seen her at a trade show, you already know what she's like in action. She's persistent in her quest and hard work to capture an image or tell a story, and that little touch of swagger is demonstrated in her pride as an accomplished artist. 

About the images and the SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD lens: The Tamron SP 85mm "is the world's first* fast aperture lens with image stabilization." 

"It's unique design allows us to include our VC (Vibration Compensation) system - without the lens becoming too large or heavy. What's more, our SP 85mm F/1.8 delivers edge-to-edge viewfinder brightness for ease of composition and superior low-light performance. The fast aperture of the F/1.8 also offers the perfect balance of subject sharpness and bokeh, that dreamy blur which separates your portrait subject from the background."

*Among 85mm F/1.8 interchangeable lenses for full-frame DSLR cameras as of January 2016. Data source: Tamron

Click on the banner below to find out more about this outstanding member of Tamron's prime lens family.
 
When I looked at Erica's work, it was no easy task to pick one image. I couldn't do it and talked with her about using two from her past trip to Cuba. For so many of us there's still a beautiful mystique to the people, the culture and the country. Although legal travel for Americans started to open up in 1999, "President Obama restored people-to-people travel in 2011." (Source inSightCuba.com)
  
About "Chef" Erica:  One visit to Erica's galleries and you'll immediately see what I meant about her passion for the craft. I love her About-page description of herself, and it's so appropriate to share part of it here:

I won't write this out like a dating profile or write some perfect euphoric poem expressed on every Instagram post you see. But what I will tell you, is my life is in pictures. I travel around the US as a tech rep, and around the world for adventure. I'm proud to pass along my knowledge and experiences in seminars, workshops and now here. All, to others who feel the same travel pull on their heartstrings as I do. My hope is that with one little tip or story, it will encourage YOU to explore, dare you to dance with a stranger, or inspire a new challenge in your photography and travel journey.

​Part II of Erica's recipes is coming next Tuesday with her podcast. We'll be talking a lot about her journey as an artist and especially her adventures in Cuba. You can be sure she'll be sharing some great insight into how she's built so many unique relationships with her subjects, clients, and other photographers in the industry. 

Click on Erica's Tamron Recipe image to view in the SCU Lightbox. And, her website is just a click away, 

This special series is a kick to build and share each month. Join us next Tamron Tuesday when we share 
​Erica's podcast together with more of her images. Things never slow down in the Tamron Kitchen and each "Chef" brings a new recipe for success to the table!

From the beginning of the SCU relationship with Tamron, we've always had a strong appreciation for the content they share - especially on their YouTube channel. Each video is always packed with solid content from some of photography's finest artists.  Regardless of your photographic specialty, you'll find some real nuggets of wisdom from each artist being  featured.

Erik Stensland is out and about with Tamron's 18-400 mm lens, and I love his point about the capabilities of a crop-sensor lens with an 18-400mm range. I grabbed screenshots from the video just for the fun of showing the versatility of this lens.

Intro by Chamira Young

Have you stepped outside of your comfort zone lately? Photographer Douglas Croft did, and discovered a new passion for photographing whales he didn't know he had. You never know where inspiration will come from, and being open to new experiences is a prime opportunity to rejuvenate your photography passion and learn about subjects previously unknown to your own personal "bubble".

It was by deciding to go on a whale-watching tour that photographer Douglas Croft discovered his passion for capturing breathtaking images of the behemoth mammals. And ironically, it was right in his own back yard of Monterey Bay! He's been hooked ever since. By using Tamron's 18-400mm VC HLD zoom lens for his adventures, he's been able to capture his giant subjects whether they surface right next to his boat or hundreds of yards away.

​Check out his work below, as well as the fascinating backstory and process!

"Good things happen when you set your priorities straight!"
Scott Caan

by Skip Cohen

Welcome back to Tamron Recipes and Part II, our conversation with "Chef" Marcie Reif. Marcie shares so much great insight in this conversation. Her passion for the craft, along with her clients, comes out loud and clear. Her goal with each client is to exceed their expectations, and as I've written in the past, make herself habit-forming!

We're having a lot of fun with this series. "Fun" is too often a mystical word that gets lost in business today, buried under the stress of decision making, interruptions, and priority setting. But, the quote by Scott Caan seems to define at least one aspect of Marcie's outlook on life, her priorities.  On her about page, she leads with a description of herself as simply, "wife, mother, artist." That pretty much says it all, establishing those three hats she wears that are a big part of the foundation of who she is.

I'd add one more hat, "friend." With each podcast, both Chamira and I have found the start of new friendships with our guests. Marcie's not just part of the Tamron family, but ours as well and that's one of my most favorite things about this industry - the friendships we all share that come out of everyone's love for the craft.

In wandering through Marcie's galleries, I wanted to pull a variety of my favorite images. You'll notice a universal theme - people! I doubt there's very much Marcie can't photograph, but it's her relationships with her clients that's demonstrated in great expressions in every image. Click on any photograph in this post to visit Marcie's website.

One of Marcie's most favorite tools is Tamron's new 35-150mm F/2.8-4 Di VC OSD lens. But it's not just about the quality of the optics, but the focal length. With a 35-150mm range she can be close to her clients and a director when needed, as well as a journalist's approach and back farther to observe. She talks very openly on her approach and why this lens is ideal for working with families and kids.

"Chef" Marcie's recipe is a click away if you missed it last week. Check out the 35-150mm lens with a click on the thumbnail to the right. And, v​isit your Tamron dealer to check this lens out for yourself and make sure Tamron's schedule of local events and trade shows is on your radar. You'll find their complete schedule below with an almost endless number of workshops, shows and dealer programs all year long.

We're in the Tamron Kitchen today with Marcie Reif. These posts and podcasts always start with a phone call or two. In my first conversation with Marcie, it was obvious she's entirely focused on her love for portraiture. She builds relationships with her clients, never doing anything just halfway. She loves her career choice. Like a world-class chef, she's always looking to be creative and is always looking for the precise moment to capture the personalities of her subjects, and she's part of an incredible team, the Tamron family. 

About the Image and the 35-150mm F/2.8-4 Di VC OSD lens: This new Tamron lens has become one of Marcie's favorites.

The 35-150mm lens "is based on the new concept of allowing you to concentrate on a wide range of portrait compositions without the interruption of pausing to change lenses. The fast F-stop offers F/2.8 at the wide end while maintaining a bright F/4 at the telephoto end."  

To the core I love photographing the joy of kids and families. Creating a strong and authentic portrait of their pure joy has definitely become my style and what people come to expect from me. This lens gives me a lot of room to play with that. Sometimes I need to be close to them to tickle them or sing. Sometimes I need to be farther away and it's their parents that can bring out that joy in them. Either way I can be close or far away with this lens.  M. Reif 
 
Click on the banner below to find out more about this outstanding lens.

About "Chef" Marcie:  Based out of Atlanta, one trip to Marcie's website and she sets the stage for her expertise as a family photographer. From her opening statement about being a "wife, mother and artist," to her description of her style of photography, there's no question of her goal to meet each client's mindset.

​My goal is to deliver you a unique set of images that are artistic, natural, and warm by mixing childhood images with connections to love. My style and heart lead to very natural photographs. I always try to deliver my clients images of their family “being” a family. This may mean singing, dancing, playing together, or maybe just some ginormous hugs! I LOVE to capture kids being themselves because best moments come when you set them up, sit back, and wait. M. Reif

​Stay tuned for Part II of Marcie's recipe coming next Tuesday with her podcast. She'll be sharing a lot of great insight into how she's built her business and reputation. She's a passionate artist with outstanding listening skills allowing her to better define each client's goals and relationships with a solid foundation of trust.

Just click on Marcie's Tamron Recipe image above to visit her website. And, follow her on Instagram and Facebook too.

​What a kick this new series is to build and share each month. Join us next Tamron Tuesday when we share Marcie's podcast together with more of her images. Things never slow down in the Tamron Kitchen!

Last month we shared a podcast packed full with great insight and a series of images by Tamron "Chef," Lisa Langell. The Tamron Recipe series always receives a great response, and today, Lisa's back with one of her recipes for success - how to photograph hummingbirds. The fun of working with Lisa is her attention to detail, combined with her willingness to share just about everything she's learned over the years to help more photographers fine-tune their skill set.

This new guest post is loaded with good solid information, especially Lisa's observations on the importance of "re-imagining nature photography" for today's contemporary clients and the interiors of their homes.​

Lisa's hummingbird images are all captured with Tamron's 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD lens. Just like Lisa's approach to photography, Tamron never slows down in manufacturing some of the very best optics in imaging. And, they're just as focused on helping photographers improve their skill set to help capture the very best photographs.

To find out more about this outstanding lens, click on the thumbnail to the left. The 70-210 lens is also included in Tamron's Spring Rebate program through July 6, 2019 with a $200 instant savings at authorized Tamron dealers.

Check out more of Lisa's work and her workshop schedule with a visit to her website. Just click on the banner below. While her August workshops are already sold out, with some classes, she maintains a waitlist. Make sure you sign up for her FREE newsletter, so you're always up to date on her workshops, trips, and latest information to help you become a better artist.

by Lisa Langell
​
​Creating wildlife and nature photography that works well into the interior designs of homes, offices and more is a true passion of mine.  Echoing back to my years long ago of working as a floral designer with other interior decorators to transform the indoors, I learned a great deal about people’s palates, tastes, design techniques, and decorating trends. 

Making wildlife photography something people want to hang in trendy, well-decorated and designed homes requires transforming how we perceive what constitutes “nature photography.”   We must go beyond the “rules” and restrictions long-associated with “classic” magazine and calendar-style photography.  It requires re-imagining how we photograph, process, print and display our work so that it is on-trend with the decorative and artistic look of today’s indoor environments. 

The high-key style hummingbird photography I do is just one example of re-imagining nature photography for today’s interiors.  Here is how it is done.
 
Recipe for Hummingbird High Key Setups

1 hummingbird feeder (which inevitably attracts bees and wasps, detested by hummingbirds)

3-4 speedlite flashes positioned about 18-24 inches from the bird, set to Manual, at 1/16th to 1/32nd power.
 
Zoom and aperture settings variable to achieve the light and look you need, depending on the placement of the flashes.

1 white backdrop about 24-36 inches behind the bird

1 flash positioned to illuminate white backdrop set to no higher than 1/8 power

1 camera on a tripod - Set camera to the following settings (slight adjustments made as needed):

• Focus on the hummingbird feeder and then set your camera to Manual Focus so it will not “hunt” with each shot
• Shutter Speed:  1/160th  to 1/200th second
• Aperture:  f/18 to f/25
• ISO:  100 to 200

​1 Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD lens

1 remote trigger (I do not recommend the type that requires line-of-sight communication)

1 or more stunningly gorgeous hummingbirds
 
Directions:

• Ensure your flashes are set to communicate with each other.  Depending on the brand and model, you may need to utilize the built-in master/slave settings, wireless communication via  via a trigger, by using pocket wizards and PC Sync cords, or other methods.
• Enable your “highlight alert” (a.k.a., “blinkies”) on your camera and ensure that the flash for the backdrop is positioned in such a way as to over-expose the white backdrop. 
• As the birds come in toward the feeder, or pull back from it, trigger the shot.  The flashes being set to 1/16 to 1/32nd power are what stops the high-speed wingbeats of the bird, not your camera’s shutter.  
• This method is “part art and part science,” so you will want to explore your options with positioning the flashes and the settings used.  You may also add flowers to the shot, or replace the feeder entirely with flowers for other effects.